tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41047242942858745162024-03-13T05:14:41.835-06:00White WallsLife. in full color.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-38095779259323807552012-10-09T22:27:00.001-06:002012-10-09T22:27:19.501-06:00Here and NowClicking the 'Compose' button. What a thrill. I'm so excited to write after a surprise period of time where I wrote nothing at all, anywhere. Work emails and small work projects aside, these are the first words to come out the end of my fingers in a long time. Writing became forced, and I couldn't do it. I had nothing to say, so I stopped.<br />
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I can't remember another time during my life with so much mental challenge crammed into a few months. They've all produced growth and change, and God is using each situation to wake me from my slumber and bring me into a world that needs more Christians who are useful and aren't just in it for the free ticket. The is is the new prayer for my life.<br />
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I bought a house on my birthday, April 17. It's an amazing story of God's goodness in the small details of my life, right down to the very neighborhood I thought might always just be a dream. Since that day, almost every interior surface has been changed -- and if it hasn't yet, it will be soon. My boyfriend is a creative and a builder extraordinaire, so I paint walls and envision and he does the rest. Home projects go much more smoothly with him a few blocks away than they did when he was in Texas, where he lived when we met.<br />
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Working for a wealth management firm was never in my plans, but it's been so rewarding. I even earned a certification (a low certification, but still, it required effort). Literally every day, I encounter something I have to figure out for the first time. When you see the world from behind the economic stage, things look very different than they do from the audience's perspective. It's been an education in politics, family dynamics, life goals, wise decisions, and the relationships that make the world go around.<br />
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God's grace has been most evident in my life through my friend Katie, who has met with me week after week since January to tell me what the gospel of Christ looks like in my life when I'm living like I believe it. Through her wisdom, I've seen how the way I think and what I choose to believe changes everything about my everyday life. If I believe that a mountain exists between God and me that I somehow have to move, I miss out on the whole reason Christ gave His life for me. I've learned that what I let myself silently think really matters. Truth and reality matter. Jesus matters, and my life matters because by God's grace, it doesn't have to be wasted.<br />
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<br />Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-54982047542455838412012-02-14T18:04:00.001-07:002012-02-14T18:04:34.132-07:00A Bad Eye Taught Me LoveYou may have heard of iritis. But probably not. It's an eye disease that creeps up out of nowhere, and you wake up one morning with a charming blind spot and an eye as red as fire. I'd post a photo, but...<br />
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This was my situation two weeks ago. It's nothing serious, except that if left untreated, you'll lose your eyesight completely. I didn't know this or I would have felt my way into the doctor's office much sooner.<br />
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I learned that, when considering a trip to the emergency room, my first thought should be who I'd call to take me there. Even when it's 2<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AM</span>. I drove myself to the downtown emergency room in the middle of the night, with a bad eye. Upon walking in, I found the only other person in the waiting room to be a crazy man all huffy about receiving no service. When the security guard told him to fill out a form first, the expletives began, and he threw the clipboard and his wallet through the window at the nurse. Effective. Before I knew it, three armed guards surrounded him and the minute he reached for his pocket, they pinned him to the floor. He was escorted offsite...while his wallet remained on the other side of the window. Guess who had no wait?<br />
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The extra protection is not the only reason I should've called my family. My coworker asked me how I would respond if my mom had driven herself to the emergency room in the middle of the night when my dad was out of town, and she hadn't called me. I got hot just thinking about it. Just because I <i>could</i> make it there by myself isn't the point. Even though I was trying not to cause a scene by calling them, it communicated that I didn't need them or want their help.<br />
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Independence isn't always best, especially when it alienates you from people who love you and denies them the chance to do something meaningful for you. I realized that to let someone help isn't saying that I can't do it myself; it's telling them you want and need them there because it's <i>them </i>and you love them too. <br />
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Pardon this twisted Love Day post, but this is the kind of love I've been thinking about lately. And my eye is good as new (nothing a few steroids couldn't fix).Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-40587621069191655562012-01-22T09:32:00.000-07:002012-01-22T09:32:18.323-07:00ComebackToday is January 22. That should be far enough past New Year's resolution time that you don't mistake this reappearance on the blog as a resolution. But I do hope it becomes a regular part of my life again. Going places and doing things entirely filled up the last few months and left little time for thinking, and even less time for writing. Pressure from friends -- not only to write again but to make it interesting... -- has made me want to blog and not want to blog. When it's been months, it's hard not to feel like your first time back has to be this epic thought or story. All that does is keep me away longer.
Today is January 22 and I'm in the mountains for the second annual Grand Lake Getaway. My friend Lindsay's family owns a house right on the lake, and they're generous to let a couple handfuls of women stay for the weekend and cook, dance, consider jumping in the canal (but deciding against it) and meet our annual quota for lounging in front of the fire while snow falls outside.
Today is January 22 and the year ahead is a blank slate. I can predict that I will stay happily with my company, that I will move sometime around April, that my social life will look a whole lot different than it did last year, and that... I don't know beyond that, and those are only predictions. One of the strongest and deepest women I've met in a long time has decided to befriend me and teach me more about Jesus Christ. No one has been in my face like she has about things in my heart that need to change. I'm excited for the upcoming months and what they hold. Unknown can be frightening but it is so filled with possibility. And I'm preparing myself to write about it here, and maybe even commit to making the blog a bit more personal -- including photos.
Planning to be back here soon.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-57430456515717821902011-09-21T20:34:00.000-06:002011-09-21T20:34:08.497-06:00Mossy, Stony, and Jonny...in Scotland<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbVbxn3OcP4CZf21peLqWjjjlffUxPkZdegNzfKbEwYRb6-c2udPh_1zsqNNEi8cxdW0ekHmlXSaCETbl9Va33dJO78XTRCbwnD192bj7btmtpXgglyTQ7E6i7OJ_Fu5IQ6y5pAmcLBG/s1600/p20110828-090858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbVbxn3OcP4CZf21peLqWjjjlffUxPkZdegNzfKbEwYRb6-c2udPh_1zsqNNEi8cxdW0ekHmlXSaCETbl9Va33dJO78XTRCbwnD192bj7btmtpXgglyTQ7E6i7OJ_Fu5IQ6y5pAmcLBG/s400/p20110828-090858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The wee Scottish lad dancing in the rain.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was giddy to be in a beautiful English-speaking country.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Royal Mile, as seen during the madness of Fringe Festival.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An American singer in Glasgow. <br />Nothing to write home about.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jonny is studying here for the semester and probably getting an unfair advantage -- <br />simply existing on this campus makes a person smarter.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You're looking at the fish that should have lemon juice on it, <br />but the lemon juice squirted everywhere <b>but</b> on the fish, <br />including the faces of people at three of my surrounding tables.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy to be eating gluten-free food without cutting into retirement savings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Castle at Edinburgh! We didn't tour, we just stood outside <br />and took this picture so it would look like we toured.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The dark and mysterious Glasgow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The lovely Scottish horse of my dreams. We're soulmates. <br />He saw me coming and stopped eating -- yes, stopped eating -- to come say hello.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our luxurious accommodations for the week. I got the bed. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jonny turned 21 in Glasgow, so I took him to the <br />Ubiquitous Chip for some out-of-this-world eats.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8xIFAQwscTpV10tpaldDSP9uZ17GvaJbNEhR_v34uUDJSGZKQFmdgEN9CinbHiSifbtzXOcBRX_3NN3wnh7_umVZxkrmeRf3engi3nXWx2fSDmydUAPNAxgdfpPNTa8DMQAWKaFrRN7N/s1600/p20110903-085534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8xIFAQwscTpV10tpaldDSP9uZ17GvaJbNEhR_v34uUDJSGZKQFmdgEN9CinbHiSifbtzXOcBRX_3NN3wnh7_umVZxkrmeRf3engi3nXWx2fSDmydUAPNAxgdfpPNTa8DMQAWKaFrRN7N/s400/p20110903-085534.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ashton Lane, my favorite street in Glasgow, <br />full of fantastic restaurants.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_Ti7_BtWAZoxHJvWNglQqOZ0lwnHSWRBbxv66-Dv9tkymcjV4yCebmsgiA26H6Ey6ptnpVTMa9t0WtjWHSgEIIyMuZ9w3sAYeM10iVLL5CF85UdrcYmtXvy3WkHxShJCniHlFRh1mf2T/s1600/p20110903-085748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_Ti7_BtWAZoxHJvWNglQqOZ0lwnHSWRBbxv66-Dv9tkymcjV4yCebmsgiA26H6Ey6ptnpVTMa9t0WtjWHSgEIIyMuZ9w3sAYeM10iVLL5CF85UdrcYmtXvy3WkHxShJCniHlFRh1mf2T/s400/p20110903-085748.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Walking to Captain's Rest to see some good live music<br /> and thought this was purty.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYkfQQfHVK9AUyLmgJh3v0aPhwELljwbeBB8ACLLqbWIzFbTRGGaq07XVaRTAyYq3KCp7rdLmvvnyhILow4n326NZIs0mABpihCDc6X-3u9xJdYtLdodaIRFmcddSt85OhPrgT65qUf6B/s1600/p20110903-085938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYkfQQfHVK9AUyLmgJh3v0aPhwELljwbeBB8ACLLqbWIzFbTRGGaq07XVaRTAyYq3KCp7rdLmvvnyhILow4n326NZIs0mABpihCDc6X-3u9xJdYtLdodaIRFmcddSt85OhPrgT65qUf6B/s400/p20110903-085938.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So did he, so he posed for a picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6pc8uLf3Ne8wwddwersKiCYeeswIiviPgUvqMhEjhAPcZLAv9CmLizZfgyDcOKd2-R0gBu4DGkkQ4zGugSCt7q0nNSOW-5x-TroD-jq57oBSS3xcbw2YmC-JkQ_MGucEYZQqmS86imeB/s1600/p20110903-090209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6pc8uLf3Ne8wwddwersKiCYeeswIiviPgUvqMhEjhAPcZLAv9CmLizZfgyDcOKd2-R0gBu4DGkkQ4zGugSCt7q0nNSOW-5x-TroD-jq57oBSS3xcbw2YmC-JkQ_MGucEYZQqmS86imeB/s400/p20110903-090209.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He was very bold this night, testing out the world of gluten. <br />It turned out okay for him.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX47Ul6Vmf4u_ePSGBoDL_3zeTa-o0o9L1WJW79CgNAFhFiBzwOmefE_v_f17bq9_P3NViEnPrdfAP7OB4Mimu-yhZohbA0LFQP8y679xOD61U5yoyPo08UrynWNWECMWy9gTrWC9RYskp/s1600/p20110903-090429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX47Ul6Vmf4u_ePSGBoDL_3zeTa-o0o9L1WJW79CgNAFhFiBzwOmefE_v_f17bq9_P3NViEnPrdfAP7OB4Mimu-yhZohbA0LFQP8y679xOD61U5yoyPo08UrynWNWECMWy9gTrWC9RYskp/s400/p20110903-090429.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I went nuts when I saw this SAIL-THRU restaurant. <br />On the other side of that little rail is a canal, and <br />I considered buying a boat just so I could sail thru <br />and order some fish and chips.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIbLG9Ptwi1anMWiduTmXnoOIyT9N4yUOcHsXzAevPZNibQMBE_IvP_-uNegPdguysjRJrs7VzpH2Oga74zPsNzdgKKr5HqaxjJXCLExeso3G3YDI9MZBe4dEi5fjCj16v5cHc-j0W4sw/s1600/p20110903-090536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIbLG9Ptwi1anMWiduTmXnoOIyT9N4yUOcHsXzAevPZNibQMBE_IvP_-uNegPdguysjRJrs7VzpH2Oga74zPsNzdgKKr5HqaxjJXCLExeso3G3YDI9MZBe4dEi5fjCj16v5cHc-j0W4sw/s400/p20110903-090536.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most of our marathon bike ride was along this canal.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbIK_ZM9fsaP32IzeheRP7pqdFLWsFv_5Zz1TUKo9FfSPmoYSL3yZME8-9dMvu40Xjl65oF4cNpZurSUKQn66cKVwshHX0_Z4xVCCbTwu83J9E-EfA4nklSCi2q8QfXNHDezf2yvbLOSW/s1600/p20110918-142550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbIK_ZM9fsaP32IzeheRP7pqdFLWsFv_5Zz1TUKo9FfSPmoYSL3yZME8-9dMvu40Xjl65oF4cNpZurSUKQn66cKVwshHX0_Z4xVCCbTwu83J9E-EfA4nklSCi2q8QfXNHDezf2yvbLOSW/s400/p20110918-142550.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pedaling</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcerAVU5E4F2yp4BqeWPGhjxcRX2q1px3H5ZqYTOKzwRFHT6aM0LAEStFpJ9yH_xj1yQttFE8STkjGcXzZLXcR_yQbHwxUHiNzmTqXUuwdyl-afOqiYZf6TLXNYuzqZWmoPdcwJLMGF3S/s1600/p20110903-090615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcerAVU5E4F2yp4BqeWPGhjxcRX2q1px3H5ZqYTOKzwRFHT6aM0LAEStFpJ9yH_xj1yQttFE8STkjGcXzZLXcR_yQbHwxUHiNzmTqXUuwdyl-afOqiYZf6TLXNYuzqZWmoPdcwJLMGF3S/s400/p20110903-090615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is the part of the bike ride where the flowers hide the canal.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiodnV9ouPo17Jq2Ds_YWn0OEInvAIx4PuhlijYp6IGjddYkbYd06BUV_zHret0JZ0zvu9HVbiq4D0hf-3S5L5DuuRotkiFhEwF03knsPB82nW2RUgbJGHk8QTbslAhz-1F78E5DWI2nbT/s1600/p20110903-091143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiodnV9ouPo17Jq2Ds_YWn0OEInvAIx4PuhlijYp6IGjddYkbYd06BUV_zHret0JZ0zvu9HVbiq4D0hf-3S5L5DuuRotkiFhEwF03knsPB82nW2RUgbJGHk8QTbslAhz-1F78E5DWI2nbT/s400/p20110903-091143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These charming gents were having the time of their lives at the bowling club.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYiLiBgywEeSMSdZAfr7JtqnjPjfOl4r7bGC-5xa3Nr457Bc3pF18GqbjYN4Sg-o6UHbQgFFhkgEw6b7UDusKxcLsTW7GJSoVJLV5Bl2pqYLkSDYcSNevxpJa2YQiOJrAM61O9CJaurCF/s1600/p20110831-172105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYiLiBgywEeSMSdZAfr7JtqnjPjfOl4r7bGC-5xa3Nr457Bc3pF18GqbjYN4Sg-o6UHbQgFFhkgEw6b7UDusKxcLsTW7GJSoVJLV5Bl2pqYLkSDYcSNevxpJa2YQiOJrAM61O9CJaurCF/s400/p20110831-172105.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Biked 13 miles for this moment.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETc4uTXzWMwtoU0NmWHlrjExJP9bwtLe5xeSgd7OFCoba7qj_IcvVu2q6xbquYB7bQMYKH0cy_lOBmK5kOp-e2YPzMe_QYQCXqmrhMXV57Mp5jID-DBCJx-D06GTdOb0JXBalmf-1VVWV/s1600/p20110903-091617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETc4uTXzWMwtoU0NmWHlrjExJP9bwtLe5xeSgd7OFCoba7qj_IcvVu2q6xbquYB7bQMYKH0cy_lOBmK5kOp-e2YPzMe_QYQCXqmrhMXV57Mp5jID-DBCJx-D06GTdOb0JXBalmf-1VVWV/s400/p20110903-091617.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The view from our booth. This was at Grosvenor Cafe, <br />one of the restaurants on Ashton Lane.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq6MhnT5xUhxyFXA0J3AfWjWDxcsueeYfYG_Di-almyXRuz4cu8-Em0B4T1O3dJHzRsnP84wLEouuFiCoWb1OLN_LiQ5FxpFB3on4Xq_LY3JdFhX23-T73KzEN0M5k2BOorcY7_j5jaiJ/s1600/p20110903-091742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq6MhnT5xUhxyFXA0J3AfWjWDxcsueeYfYG_Di-almyXRuz4cu8-Em0B4T1O3dJHzRsnP84wLEouuFiCoWb1OLN_LiQ5FxpFB3on4Xq_LY3JdFhX23-T73KzEN0M5k2BOorcY7_j5jaiJ/s400/p20110903-091742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The view of our booth from Grosvenor Cafe. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSbYk8cLNbJAAtQ8gtWtTxtfiNADiQE9EeZ2A9k7i88xx_iOr4cD-LloqIOA6o61YLxrNcZvsHbQ6ML6SALmRiJbYLruUkNsaDEqpSnYfNAB94l2GxbnS89ZfID043-52roImGzgiLee6/s1600/p20110921-115700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSbYk8cLNbJAAtQ8gtWtTxtfiNADiQE9EeZ2A9k7i88xx_iOr4cD-LloqIOA6o61YLxrNcZvsHbQ6ML6SALmRiJbYLruUkNsaDEqpSnYfNAB94l2GxbnS89ZfID043-52roImGzgiLee6/s400/p20110921-115700.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The view of our meal at Grosvenor Cafe. <br />I loved that they served everything on wooden cutting boards. <br />I had a delicious cottage pie and Jonny had slimy mussels. <br />I'm glad I can eat gluten.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CCfiK6A3NMquSacB4WqbpEFUP-LoIlwnVQEnfpHYG8-zcHYmZjtrbLKWR1TO4w8tRd53s6t6OO_G-F5IjlZYe6zNF0KaUYy7rzTt3uwsXfmcQLhgfeF_JYKzZijdQ2UVgaM0s9vQ81ix/s1600/p20110917-222027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CCfiK6A3NMquSacB4WqbpEFUP-LoIlwnVQEnfpHYG8-zcHYmZjtrbLKWR1TO4w8tRd53s6t6OO_G-F5IjlZYe6zNF0KaUYy7rzTt3uwsXfmcQLhgfeF_JYKzZijdQ2UVgaM0s9vQ81ix/s400/p20110917-222027.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blending right in to his environment at University of Glasgow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTg9YyPWmb6U8b6K6foZCifZBcoVqEEHugjHcpyIb1mfzvgGZ0zjaXaBfJp65G5AaMO2ycJku3n_VPDGtZAhDf4eqoMab3NBxanv-lHWcSECXmEOCfKK97uezrld-sqxI6P_85iqAKXUE/s1600/p20110921-120014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTg9YyPWmb6U8b6K6foZCifZBcoVqEEHugjHcpyIb1mfzvgGZ0zjaXaBfJp65G5AaMO2ycJku3n_VPDGtZAhDf4eqoMab3NBxanv-lHWcSECXmEOCfKK97uezrld-sqxI6P_85iqAKXUE/s400/p20110921-120014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Angels were singing.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyJlaHtzF7jGdc7ctNcp2YL2lgnt-Vk7ntCerj4l8lq0MGPhpZDL9lA13kLcnlMgbE1T_yhxttfB4rJ1EeObigSbtOOQkCa8wglaLzvtHCz2Zbk2j3KDK4sukqER1P7T0z7X2NAaQxT6/s1600/p20110921-120313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyJlaHtzF7jGdc7ctNcp2YL2lgnt-Vk7ntCerj4l8lq0MGPhpZDL9lA13kLcnlMgbE1T_yhxttfB4rJ1EeObigSbtOOQkCa8wglaLzvtHCz2Zbk2j3KDK4sukqER1P7T0z7X2NAaQxT6/s400/p20110921-120313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shouldn't this door lead to Narnia or something?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlPNJAEntPAU4OPV1QzkxNW6jlOe4J7hGVUTmviJbzuZB8hdSckehnICGJJKEpUypLdqQJAjg2x8taNmaUK52RRHkFq-whcSGVcWL-qipZO_ZIMCtQO0MDr4uVufc69uLDIxLhrxlH8lD/s1600/p20110921-120428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlPNJAEntPAU4OPV1QzkxNW6jlOe4J7hGVUTmviJbzuZB8hdSckehnICGJJKEpUypLdqQJAjg2x8taNmaUK52RRHkFq-whcSGVcWL-qipZO_ZIMCtQO0MDr4uVufc69uLDIxLhrxlH8lD/s400/p20110921-120428.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The chapel on campus. Not too shabby.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL3ZRgo9e6eZ1zjus7lyxGgPGeyX2H-n7gl-oZfZm-BKFUPzTSn3lz54_NkicMiKK4dZ1hYG7OqdXWQopJ4ceW0GOHmOFacnjZC7TWBoNtsebQTWUZpFYHDhmoLbnjNutQtWINXAb2loV/s1600/p20110917-222315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL3ZRgo9e6eZ1zjus7lyxGgPGeyX2H-n7gl-oZfZm-BKFUPzTSn3lz54_NkicMiKK4dZ1hYG7OqdXWQopJ4ceW0GOHmOFacnjZC7TWBoNtsebQTWUZpFYHDhmoLbnjNutQtWINXAb2loV/s400/p20110917-222315.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cool church, and Jonny had to sneak his face into the corner of my shot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK0HCR-QD15-dXgm2qSJGMILSuKfdUwXO7iXJIa3-d0jd1YWigEPgF-f7CKRnWCYhX_M540Ns32POg0P_YGrEC_yiuw4FayZ5Q1FEsOe_rBrdd7BN3d8Ge2JKtUgNo427GRkYkP-bRpQH/s1600/p20110918-142135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK0HCR-QD15-dXgm2qSJGMILSuKfdUwXO7iXJIa3-d0jd1YWigEPgF-f7CKRnWCYhX_M540Ns32POg0P_YGrEC_yiuw4FayZ5Q1FEsOe_rBrdd7BN3d8Ge2JKtUgNo427GRkYkP-bRpQH/s400/p20110918-142135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Basically I liked the modern building next to all the old ones.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgwPBbZ_VyWQW0JVU9LrsaFL-OBPhjHOXkh-mDnQrByj9hqx-bTyDWXasDTVwpxUJz6ae_Vn5F19DqguO34yru5GjU5oBoH0D6IRYluJpZ1iLf1V7GnMBSAmxA-yEdxXo0Upcxyri-5fR/s1600/p20110921-115300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgwPBbZ_VyWQW0JVU9LrsaFL-OBPhjHOXkh-mDnQrByj9hqx-bTyDWXasDTVwpxUJz6ae_Vn5F19DqguO34yru5GjU5oBoH0D6IRYluJpZ1iLf1V7GnMBSAmxA-yEdxXo0Upcxyri-5fR/s400/p20110921-115300.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We hadn't been there three days and he'd already purchased some vintage Euro shorts. <br />It's a shame there aren't many sunny days in Scotland, because his <br />American thighs aren't quite accustomed to being out in public. <br />Or is it the public that isn't accustomed to his American thighs? </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SMuseQkoSb5p5ze1MarnqMi3tJQX6dsJk6jX2REOmiD0OSo9YeWtk63qjQk38W6IpqpECFwBC1fS1T2eQg0y-a-jWwVoWig5nBUgCZ8p2iESd98x72_Kh1nGJFchv4CrOXTZ4px2AFcF/s1600/p20110921-120553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SMuseQkoSb5p5ze1MarnqMi3tJQX6dsJk6jX2REOmiD0OSo9YeWtk63qjQk38W6IpqpECFwBC1fS1T2eQg0y-a-jWwVoWig5nBUgCZ8p2iESd98x72_Kh1nGJFchv4CrOXTZ4px2AFcF/s400/p20110921-120553.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As wonderful as he is, Jonny and I needed a little breather. <br />We spent an afternoon in separate cafes, <br />and as you can see, it was heavenly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbbIVggbr1uz0sMxcfvhH9dJ6OWwrF3qpu7W9I8aT6P8urhHZnv-hGkiGPecm3yOBg5g6GcLUFcy0dpLFthNwHvZ9cWuyn3McNIHVLTh9JsPTO2iemJ5PJENtFcMsil9Q4LXlY0Vb9xIl/s1600/p20110921-120733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbbIVggbr1uz0sMxcfvhH9dJ6OWwrF3qpu7W9I8aT6P8urhHZnv-hGkiGPecm3yOBg5g6GcLUFcy0dpLFthNwHvZ9cWuyn3McNIHVLTh9JsPTO2iemJ5PJENtFcMsil9Q4LXlY0Vb9xIl/s400/p20110921-120733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The best looking picnic table I've ever seen. <br />Ironically, it's also the one I'd least like to sit at. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ka7CjuFKdK6VieNupfEaarGoWG76rIgWrCfprd8Ij4vuRtWbCFV4A-n5YeN_YW5m_fbbSTiFBSXpTyLXx-5ipBVXUPFnWteEMGJF-pUbFo7Gmzr2r5Dpd1chnd9Ks__9i-fYm0V85ef/s1600/p20110921-120920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ka7CjuFKdK6VieNupfEaarGoWG76rIgWrCfprd8Ij4vuRtWbCFV4A-n5YeN_YW5m_fbbSTiFBSXpTyLXx-5ipBVXUPFnWteEMGJF-pUbFo7Gmzr2r5Dpd1chnd9Ks__9i-fYm0V85ef/s400/p20110921-120920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Loch Lomond </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHEZtMeolNa8yBcJ9iP0Q9mOkN7l9qoILhgtDtDw6HgNeosBgy7_RT59hYccXnIsMs8VRkt5Qs5diCghyTo8PqEAIbNPl8MNyTaUV1vuE3vefAFdvwwMceZQxxpQ6Yb9Qj-fG1cFuv5Ci/s1600/p20110921-121053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHEZtMeolNa8yBcJ9iP0Q9mOkN7l9qoILhgtDtDw6HgNeosBgy7_RT59hYccXnIsMs8VRkt5Qs5diCghyTo8PqEAIbNPl8MNyTaUV1vuE3vefAFdvwwMceZQxxpQ6Yb9Qj-fG1cFuv5Ci/s400/p20110921-121053.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Considering jumping into Loch Lomond <br />after the outrageous time we had getting there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeY63ivUjwT5y5c5x1b0CS_e4tmzzG-ysf7Ez0EZy3VOJ2k5L-CwLhSH3XlCcqKoRzPnmQV3RIE_fnU2VIMneXyi6FDPBBKCtLgz5YehmZWoR8l_EiZz0f9JOLXkrqcG3Ua7jS9HZ6R9d/s1600/p20110921-121217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeY63ivUjwT5y5c5x1b0CS_e4tmzzG-ysf7Ez0EZy3VOJ2k5L-CwLhSH3XlCcqKoRzPnmQV3RIE_fnU2VIMneXyi6FDPBBKCtLgz5YehmZWoR8l_EiZz0f9JOLXkrqcG3Ua7jS9HZ6R9d/s400/p20110921-121217.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Moss looks a lot like carpet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pnKmOsFhg9Bbs3X7t4BRECNmTn9UvJSGN9XOdVoT4K4xipo8ienNavkVZGtEjL1UKas_uoIT6oyQYqgnnSz4qqSUDVg3evl5EaYB8blua0H0e7GyxF38rvbr9Bc7QOyB9qymemiKmCLz/s1600/p20110921-190710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pnKmOsFhg9Bbs3X7t4BRECNmTn9UvJSGN9XOdVoT4K4xipo8ienNavkVZGtEjL1UKas_uoIT6oyQYqgnnSz4qqSUDVg3evl5EaYB8blua0H0e7GyxF38rvbr9Bc7QOyB9qymemiKmCLz/s400/p20110921-190710.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These are real-life taxis, and they make our<br /> big yellow taxis seem so...well...ordinary.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ9n-Q-hKsFbngWcWLD5hoyKN20fSrYCiyJ1om2cbBK205pvNSN6_6Km-LJborONbF7ZqsO_UMjt6q3ZNYN6L-zHA8KFjBdH19PgB1c5iywuYD1g9DuHkGovX3p_PmJ-55BIuHgdSWKwW/s1600/p20110921-183302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQ9n-Q-hKsFbngWcWLD5hoyKN20fSrYCiyJ1om2cbBK205pvNSN6_6Km-LJborONbF7ZqsO_UMjt6q3ZNYN6L-zHA8KFjBdH19PgB1c5iywuYD1g9DuHkGovX3p_PmJ-55BIuHgdSWKwW/s400/p20110921-183302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All in all, Scotland was grand.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-8107458525248453692011-09-19T22:06:00.001-06:002011-09-19T22:06:40.285-06:00Picture-Perfect SwitzerlandI've posted a hefty amount of photos here, and this only captures our week in Switzerland (Scotland photos to come!). But after my boo-hoo post about everything that went wrong, I figured it was only right to show a piece of all the amazing things we were able to see and experience. Enjoy!<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4K6JswaQUKTZhzLijVwE6y8LFylKIJI7VVIJeIeYO7tT7XPezkj9fJ3jEoTvan5mTaJqkl8-ho9wucSzwuPDdePeMWqhuCiT615VmaXldPACkUkv31iuEZMJTftVPt5kkc_nuOpKyPG_/s1600/p20110822-225248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4K6JswaQUKTZhzLijVwE6y8LFylKIJI7VVIJeIeYO7tT7XPezkj9fJ3jEoTvan5mTaJqkl8-ho9wucSzwuPDdePeMWqhuCiT615VmaXldPACkUkv31iuEZMJTftVPt5kkc_nuOpKyPG_/s400/p20110822-225248.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calvin's Cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCYQyRxJ0BeVS51sK06Y39dI5GxDEMSLod5_irVHQ8T-dgBHkonX7w91ejr7CKWB4uUReVmPhv_Kw7Gt7aL8HPyduMcSkh5Gzb_v5D0KUQ9IQHVwJg11xhmOMzskMcne08335bxGdzOrw/s1600/p20110901-150130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCYQyRxJ0BeVS51sK06Y39dI5GxDEMSLod5_irVHQ8T-dgBHkonX7w91ejr7CKWB4uUReVmPhv_Kw7Gt7aL8HPyduMcSkh5Gzb_v5D0KUQ9IQHVwJg11xhmOMzskMcne08335bxGdzOrw/s400/p20110901-150130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little corner of Geneva.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxADZRjpglpktt3MbWApPQchNsbwDJOK-_31DnBgNtUkQOLWxWYzFAuaW5m-2P6SBcvaZoaNM6o24eqh4hZYOirAuD5oh47zBWu8zxHg1k2xmjxv0a2vOJ34c94mjf8rVkc9iOzfrNtxj/s1600/p20110901-145850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxADZRjpglpktt3MbWApPQchNsbwDJOK-_31DnBgNtUkQOLWxWYzFAuaW5m-2P6SBcvaZoaNM6o24eqh4hZYOirAuD5oh47zBWu8zxHg1k2xmjxv0a2vOJ34c94mjf8rVkc9iOzfrNtxj/s400/p20110901-145850.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this umbrella.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI9FRZ54od2t13iVn5W2GaRqZ6tl9bqEAPdw69zQglj9yiFSF-YdKPFGVaqdkB-psiWxxWQK5cHC4s3OzJXs56vhW_RDM3S41aTvSJpTixC0TSwEc_WG55IHfYTZ2xtt2W_BrxbGk9Vly/s1600/p20110823-213812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI9FRZ54od2t13iVn5W2GaRqZ6tl9bqEAPdw69zQglj9yiFSF-YdKPFGVaqdkB-psiWxxWQK5cHC4s3OzJXs56vhW_RDM3S41aTvSJpTixC0TSwEc_WG55IHfYTZ2xtt2W_BrxbGk9Vly/s400/p20110823-213812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We booked our lodging in Switzerland through <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/">airbnb</a> and THIS was our view from the apartment in Lucerne.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUj_-rEWzr4W2Gyz4yNMLPcjcDD-BKgjDij8XFNZiv_A8Idz8-nfo-cCJY7j0fDU0AdgiNL4rq5__jYAg8qdFjouREO166pc2YI2nFk_9EX5q1nPWDQ9GU9Y-7_vArJCQAi4m3d6hkql0/s1600/p20110823-214042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUj_-rEWzr4W2Gyz4yNMLPcjcDD-BKgjDij8XFNZiv_A8Idz8-nfo-cCJY7j0fDU0AdgiNL4rq5__jYAg8qdFjouREO166pc2YI2nFk_9EX5q1nPWDQ9GU9Y-7_vArJCQAi4m3d6hkql0/s400/p20110823-214042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First dinner in Lucerne: feet dangling over the wall, looking across the water at Old Town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcGER6wwCk6XzWVl8PhoCEAmLJgNhZWrRpBSJ8YLj1DBTUDCa1isYvq22CXyrJCzbpqQPPv9bmuLmILqs_NQmjCqc6nWj_YFGgw3hbWjhKzY3kInjpWi9WxKvN3MUDliviTMyMPdKmtmR/s1600/p20110902-095349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcGER6wwCk6XzWVl8PhoCEAmLJgNhZWrRpBSJ8YLj1DBTUDCa1isYvq22CXyrJCzbpqQPPv9bmuLmILqs_NQmjCqc6nWj_YFGgw3hbWjhKzY3kInjpWi9WxKvN3MUDliviTMyMPdKmtmR/s400/p20110902-095349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner was simple: meat, cheese, bread, wine. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvh5tSE73q6uqZsyGOCxaT10M42zYKxiNqTa_G3KtvATVp_whqbj-kWhnzG-HhhnpRiDYQ6RZEf0VpzI_8MotFt0EzXcFyw5ZoDKIU3wPmE1vcDR3s3gpSc82U7KD4ifHi42Ztb8Dy2m-/s1600/p20110902-095125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvh5tSE73q6uqZsyGOCxaT10M42zYKxiNqTa_G3KtvATVp_whqbj-kWhnzG-HhhnpRiDYQ6RZEf0VpzI_8MotFt0EzXcFyw5ZoDKIU3wPmE1vcDR3s3gpSc82U7KD4ifHi42Ztb8Dy2m-/s400/p20110902-095125.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swiss streetside cafe.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG8-zLodcE7CFgrDhk7Z_Jj_hQN7dP7grzxwUo46ciCwpLhaBlpuX1yrbvpPQnjvaF9RavSkDQlyPKSHvUcoOH62kytaKRqxBdF2dM1WUuIxlNdZcL0eWKhG5_-TM7HSBfWTrQ9xu0_21/s1600/p20110902-095555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuG8-zLodcE7CFgrDhk7Z_Jj_hQN7dP7grzxwUo46ciCwpLhaBlpuX1yrbvpPQnjvaF9RavSkDQlyPKSHvUcoOH62kytaKRqxBdF2dM1WUuIxlNdZcL0eWKhG5_-TM7HSBfWTrQ9xu0_21/s400/p20110902-095555.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick me up for dinner at 7?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Jw9tb78iTELiguk5Ek9q_G-YuZ4Ai9Ds_X_udQJPao25VAU-NPcAn50BXMjKPcBtP5n9WMjStRNR7W_k7rCXR3X1FSjQy7qHl-EbYTGXseXj4zSn-HLhGc4I9g9tsqPnkbHh8WbxkMDh/s1600/p20110824-222302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Jw9tb78iTELiguk5Ek9q_G-YuZ4Ai9Ds_X_udQJPao25VAU-NPcAn50BXMjKPcBtP5n9WMjStRNR7W_k7rCXR3X1FSjQy7qHl-EbYTGXseXj4zSn-HLhGc4I9g9tsqPnkbHh8WbxkMDh/s400/p20110824-222302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of Mt. Pilatus. We boated across this lake and <br />took the cog railway up the mountain, past real mountain cows with real cowbells.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0T7q-XNmkEqEqJ60eKiKOeftqwsxUBv2KL5_iijtJR5e3q0H3JDskAHf_VnbDaUB0ihbY3o86EUuDzV1jVJ3MwEfXH3yHbEcNX2lk9TGzQ6_k-NteaLy1wn4dbWKuqhLAzCRhDgT6KQU/s1600/p20110825-213040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0T7q-XNmkEqEqJ60eKiKOeftqwsxUBv2KL5_iijtJR5e3q0H3JDskAHf_VnbDaUB0ihbY3o86EUuDzV1jVJ3MwEfXH3yHbEcNX2lk9TGzQ6_k-NteaLy1wn4dbWKuqhLAzCRhDgT6KQU/s400/p20110825-213040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this <i>is</i> what you think it is. Sheets and sheets of Swiss chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FNIDNlAIH9PHadg1Kc-4Ttv8TG0L1kKE7KQ4wGITVXIhfXpXKTyPQxFYPjl1bhn1eneD6cU9m4HAre0J68HROsY2Z5A7wnxvX4JXk5sEVMWQER77-_tkDIfN7OcEBXbnMrazKfdHVmTr/s1600/p20110902-100424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FNIDNlAIH9PHadg1Kc-4Ttv8TG0L1kKE7KQ4wGITVXIhfXpXKTyPQxFYPjl1bhn1eneD6cU9m4HAre0J68HROsY2Z5A7wnxvX4JXk5sEVMWQER77-_tkDIfN7OcEBXbnMrazKfdHVmTr/s400/p20110902-100424.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue and blue and blue.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefu9RrSDbpHx6PoB9jW_o06TAG2xAZvKFVVXjWkgCZO1dl_cxJPxA7DbJHHrLUUNr-QuvLw2DGwNyLRILXncmYT2WMAAqQEykULwZYXmi8qqc7K0l4Vukd_8787ll2QZUJDHuSAzQ8-Hb/s1600/p20110902-100549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefu9RrSDbpHx6PoB9jW_o06TAG2xAZvKFVVXjWkgCZO1dl_cxJPxA7DbJHHrLUUNr-QuvLw2DGwNyLRILXncmYT2WMAAqQEykULwZYXmi8qqc7K0l4Vukd_8787ll2QZUJDHuSAzQ8-Hb/s400/p20110902-100549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPlJcQdTWk9MFTS-NRZ7DhmUaTT8Sqnc05qtY94IAERbVJQPjohlSJ7zKrCiH_tlEudHu7maYPlXz1_DYB74owBR87VuKtQTIzCyecbFX6GyO70UqtNs_Y0GD8L3YJhbY0HwecjOfAszi/s1600/p20110902-100810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPlJcQdTWk9MFTS-NRZ7DhmUaTT8Sqnc05qtY94IAERbVJQPjohlSJ7zKrCiH_tlEudHu7maYPlXz1_DYB74owBR87VuKtQTIzCyecbFX6GyO70UqtNs_Y0GD8L3YJhbY0HwecjOfAszi/s400/p20110902-100810.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SOt8hKfJ-UsIBbCgZmd_RKmAjjvHZjARsCzwnq63906gVzeO5ptjbqqy8BmUiwNVa4Zt4QgglRApxLALy1W-rheBFFf3iG5dLm9HdEMXUkBe1AkjUbTcH7gRqrdzLbI7eodZK2CGcN8Z/s1600/p20110902-101004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SOt8hKfJ-UsIBbCgZmd_RKmAjjvHZjARsCzwnq63906gVzeO5ptjbqqy8BmUiwNVa4Zt4QgglRApxLALy1W-rheBFFf3iG5dLm9HdEMXUkBe1AkjUbTcH7gRqrdzLbI7eodZK2CGcN8Z/s400/p20110902-101004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3rmnEeRNLjjarcwVZU0GlnBOH_QXBKJ6HdKv7CRl03r4Xp8V33aaJXz2lktem8ii8hDBbv5FgVpIQMKXtx9_CCb2Gddri6fCwFS-fNsIqWG6FSpfMd-4WyEpfaDLm9CrngBqu0dtkAEZ/s1600/p20110902-101144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3rmnEeRNLjjarcwVZU0GlnBOH_QXBKJ6HdKv7CRl03r4Xp8V33aaJXz2lktem8ii8hDBbv5FgVpIQMKXtx9_CCb2Gddri6fCwFS-fNsIqWG6FSpfMd-4WyEpfaDLm9CrngBqu0dtkAEZ/s400/p20110902-101144.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alps and Siblings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIbPH2GDpqovNFvTXP33BNu4frAO3jarOeOVzFCtalqOPOwY_UTFEHGA8nhtSfa6weUwCqV6ujYgAU8YBmwc0nevZCoTLbERj3C5fOpGnJiQK5rVGRjryKjU-VF352XgaZ6gzXVnBRqC6/s400/p20110902-094916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our best views were always when we were moving. The Swiss Travel system is <br />spectacular, so we trained and boated everywhere we went. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillgkFf9bGGGsgu_E1nUdCdaATxQTLtXC_tgAXAXnIn6sxwTeAymcSKtS1On1QSEfaE62X0ghjZDVu_IgbwWs9zLOJkT7Bv9oSvnAjZGNkcZuRqckkiohiQpq-ySGwDGZDnDerdU0bovEY/s1600/p20110902-100235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillgkFf9bGGGsgu_E1nUdCdaATxQTLtXC_tgAXAXnIn6sxwTeAymcSKtS1On1QSEfaE62X0ghjZDVu_IgbwWs9zLOJkT7Bv9oSvnAjZGNkcZuRqckkiohiQpq-ySGwDGZDnDerdU0bovEY/s400/p20110902-100235.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Pilatus, as seen from our boat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqcXYMYbSAE1goYah8Z7QqmK0TbTTbtgI9ydmCIK8eDjpqQgg7Gz2HoyNKRppKziUpHVGgWldv39RWqzClvncgozGNeefC1W9KbgLgqEDwNZTU0wO82exECqtTX9_lUPj0Ea_vfXix0jT/s1600/p20110902-101452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqcXYMYbSAE1goYah8Z7QqmK0TbTTbtgI9ydmCIK8eDjpqQgg7Gz2HoyNKRppKziUpHVGgWldv39RWqzClvncgozGNeefC1W9KbgLgqEDwNZTU0wO82exECqtTX9_lUPj0Ea_vfXix0jT/s400/p20110902-101452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train window snap: steeple under the clouds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXSkL3cuGloKTu0oaday1u2YdaUae5DpcknaLxlYsWIbIGwUu20tD2xbfNQkHkgBoYV8_MphS82NgXBicjebR2V-2kKYzQVZAD7esP1mnPGef4VKkcJfGUKGDb-zNV4jw_I1pJmZzKrAF/s1600/p20110902-163603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXSkL3cuGloKTu0oaday1u2YdaUae5DpcknaLxlYsWIbIGwUu20tD2xbfNQkHkgBoYV8_MphS82NgXBicjebR2V-2kKYzQVZAD7esP1mnPGef4VKkcJfGUKGDb-zNV4jw_I1pJmZzKrAF/s400/p20110902-163603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another from the train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qgtdExMWPikSVKsn57OQnlrZ3FN1gPy9p0S57yE0PjE4uqsNX9DU-fkq5JOTtjF3nncklXa7RmUFaPxsd6sq7jDd7MuvR6uWo2_e45hUyl1961nMXJx0wFlLylBM4epXYQYvZ4sZAOAb/s1600/p20110902-163730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qgtdExMWPikSVKsn57OQnlrZ3FN1gPy9p0S57yE0PjE4uqsNX9DU-fkq5JOTtjF3nncklXa7RmUFaPxsd6sq7jDd7MuvR6uWo2_e45hUyl1961nMXJx0wFlLylBM4epXYQYvZ4sZAOAb/s400/p20110902-163730.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switzerland = lakes and mountains.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsEokVjC5T6uoDa1pzfaC1fBij7aRO9XV7GbKqqfz27tkSckRIX2xXtTB0bPLokPcgxyIZz1toPKuvPZuf33lCxhzyasvvbYohChL6kAWCWcIiDSmcjgMu8zgaDrCKWuHfJbPOMcW9x6D/s1600/p20110902-163918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsEokVjC5T6uoDa1pzfaC1fBij7aRO9XV7GbKqqfz27tkSckRIX2xXtTB0bPLokPcgxyIZz1toPKuvPZuf33lCxhzyasvvbYohChL6kAWCWcIiDSmcjgMu8zgaDrCKWuHfJbPOMcW9x6D/s400/p20110902-163918.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was at the moment of taking this picture that Jonny and I developed our Indian accents. An Indian family of four was our only company in the rail car, and the little boy and girl said all sorts of adorable quotable things.<br />The girl said to her mom, "You can take as many pictures of me as you want any time." </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKntdr7EAsc4gDZ7ge7OAt3ua08KC1_XeTJxO7QsDCN5faJQ5FV6FDcLkNXWAhyESkVOnxfgc-GJpthFmMx_vW67yQrWcTbbUApS0Lfu8t9TtF4vAMtwT8pNa8fxLLiRXesgM8mFcfrprV/s1600/p20110902-164050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKntdr7EAsc4gDZ7ge7OAt3ua08KC1_XeTJxO7QsDCN5faJQ5FV6FDcLkNXWAhyESkVOnxfgc-GJpthFmMx_vW67yQrWcTbbUApS0Lfu8t9TtF4vAMtwT8pNa8fxLLiRXesgM8mFcfrprV/s400/p20110902-164050.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interlaken. <br />We spent an afternoon here and swam in the chilly mountain water with the locals.<br />And saw a lot of speedos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZMZXqWRWSWn861kInhki8vM-_ArzB9kEGUgny24aYclu_wco5g5iuUgsabBnd85LsHWxxvUqI72qz4umy-Yw-nWdqopuRXtgUX-mUwKczNRk-CAcl52Mmwa_megK4DsMwtk5ebG30XBx/s1600/p20110902-164217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZMZXqWRWSWn861kInhki8vM-_ArzB9kEGUgny24aYclu_wco5g5iuUgsabBnd85LsHWxxvUqI72qz4umy-Yw-nWdqopuRXtgUX-mUwKczNRk-CAcl52Mmwa_megK4DsMwtk5ebG30XBx/s400/p20110902-164217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking. Because we missed the bus.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeEK-V2xEOKKqbatPRdOgk3miKdu7lakeDggBAUNfO4GBwe6dP_2Vzn3s6F8AiT2TIGDNThs6LmqreY_oqeoyhcbPI4MMlizva8QGK2OhXZV3oQqbLY-LH-T5b5sBJdn4mfOpTganIvIV/s1600/p20110902-164410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeEK-V2xEOKKqbatPRdOgk3miKdu7lakeDggBAUNfO4GBwe6dP_2Vzn3s6F8AiT2TIGDNThs6LmqreY_oqeoyhcbPI4MMlizva8QGK2OhXZV3oQqbLY-LH-T5b5sBJdn4mfOpTganIvIV/s400/p20110902-164410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train home from Interlaken. One of my favorite rides.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH87V_mEShrfFAxVC8ajPVHTRjRrwvaGhl-hzrc6QDSa12x4dcKSwCNIPyCQGIPqAa2haMkv_zbeRB-71XhBC4plpBszY7MeTmCwzSD1TyXvapa-xUi0i7RpavB4hKYC1-Ffa7LPgabiK/s1600/p20110902-164556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH87V_mEShrfFAxVC8ajPVHTRjRrwvaGhl-hzrc6QDSa12x4dcKSwCNIPyCQGIPqAa2haMkv_zbeRB-71XhBC4plpBszY7MeTmCwzSD1TyXvapa-xUi0i7RpavB4hKYC1-Ffa7LPgabiK/s400/p20110902-164556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep breath.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM9kKhEWHfuZOPpBCKGbfmu-SBvzTQ2VH_ZI0B5oxNQcmmErTeNjFWPvpc5u0oqmiuwn2JL7HB4xf-jlflOOvFUGo1oiq6rhoPDS3NmjYvZqyL0WJxUU2BSujV9gkWz6So4aOj7cOsZi6/s1600/p20110902-164739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM9kKhEWHfuZOPpBCKGbfmu-SBvzTQ2VH_ZI0B5oxNQcmmErTeNjFWPvpc5u0oqmiuwn2JL7HB4xf-jlflOOvFUGo1oiq6rhoPDS3NmjYvZqyL0WJxUU2BSujV9gkWz6So4aOj7cOsZi6/s400/p20110902-164739.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier water looks like milk! Who knew?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fYbgoplfTbZ53bz0Qfdr9ebiRHDRig1z_MYd8vm1SpMfjpeaPpg81OlqEf58B8Q5XXvXpEozuHxGNTJRX7Sbw6s55afU4sMe_Cx40XIIg5ytiGhOorG49yNxIwkeYVZUyYgTqz8dr8Xu/s1600/p20110902-164946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fYbgoplfTbZ53bz0Qfdr9ebiRHDRig1z_MYd8vm1SpMfjpeaPpg81OlqEf58B8Q5XXvXpEozuHxGNTJRX7Sbw6s55afU4sMe_Cx40XIIg5ytiGhOorG49yNxIwkeYVZUyYgTqz8dr8Xu/s400/p20110902-164946.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep in the mountains on our way to the Matterhorn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GMhC4fi70CyvmMHS2QNrImbu0qexLMPjUNvzZ9tkgy-WklJM1VwsJZhpwIrBnlsuUGm2zQMihXKpj-tjSwo0iEcMVguxGsqI9esj929qdd6vs4KEOxTlpS1N_yBBQA0EjrTiJjY-zBv-/s1600/p20110902-165441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GMhC4fi70CyvmMHS2QNrImbu0qexLMPjUNvzZ9tkgy-WklJM1VwsJZhpwIrBnlsuUGm2zQMihXKpj-tjSwo0iEcMVguxGsqI9esj929qdd6vs4KEOxTlpS1N_yBBQA0EjrTiJjY-zBv-/s400/p20110902-165441.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This makes me want to explore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1jd8nOlZNQ3uRcYwcli3S-tpYkX1238IF9Iimywx4B8QCdPVu7C87r1O1q5H5ioAuBtU_ehzWVw-_MGo15py-tKvWozV3c_csEL6BsxzOhTXobgtEPP0nn70k-px-24S6gCd9HT9tIFb/s1600/p20110902-165728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1jd8nOlZNQ3uRcYwcli3S-tpYkX1238IF9Iimywx4B8QCdPVu7C87r1O1q5H5ioAuBtU_ehzWVw-_MGo15py-tKvWozV3c_csEL6BsxzOhTXobgtEPP0nn70k-px-24S6gCd9HT9tIFb/s400/p20110902-165728.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First glacier I've ever seen. It was so barren and untouchable...<br />I may have hung my jaw open. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv878uc1-aYZIxmfshGc3-XFIOX8Rp4LrBJAh8Jagm1LXj88QCDqhs9HxN_AiaNNryC0Vkhl5k6KaRdAn1vVS9lXcrvih8faHVcZwonGGa5Y-hA4a459a42-u6ywvTJQsZ6O7y9s7bkJ_r/s1600/p20110826-184816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv878uc1-aYZIxmfshGc3-XFIOX8Rp4LrBJAh8Jagm1LXj88QCDqhs9HxN_AiaNNryC0Vkhl5k6KaRdAn1vVS9lXcrvih8faHVcZwonGGa5Y-hA4a459a42-u6ywvTJQsZ6O7y9s7bkJ_r/s400/p20110826-184816.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this not the most quintessential photo of Switzerland?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmMbw4BQt6YJRqZzhAQLZTxJOXzTpyIHrzmgs-9UdVzcZQCa92D1MZweYfR6VuKAVrhOjyZDvh4zhnIN8Ahqq8AYNOr5wNOEEl0pvzvCg84sqbHmenJKB2r4vlTXORm3FQkXscbllphD9/s1600/p20110902-170322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmMbw4BQt6YJRqZzhAQLZTxJOXzTpyIHrzmgs-9UdVzcZQCa92D1MZweYfR6VuKAVrhOjyZDvh4zhnIN8Ahqq8AYNOr5wNOEEl0pvzvCg84sqbHmenJKB2r4vlTXORm3FQkXscbllphD9/s320/p20110902-170322.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">p.s. Lest you be duped into thinking Switzerland is budget-friendly, let me tell you the story of this coffee. This is not an espresso. This is a coffee. Jonny and I had 7.50 francs left (about $12.00) , and we were on our way to Scotland, so we figured we'd use our francs to buy breakfast. When I saw that all we could buy with it was two coffees, I ordered two coffees. I looked into the cup the barista handed me and saw exactly what you see in that photo: a cup of coffee one-quarter full. Right then and there I knew I belonged in America. </td></tr>
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Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-66368157429360691512011-09-14T19:02:00.000-06:002011-09-14T19:02:40.282-06:00My Travel NutshellImagine boarding an airplane and discovering, upon reaching your seat, that the person next to you takes up his entire seat and half of yours. Then imagine being re-routed from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh because of foul weather and to re-fuel. Then imagine landing in Philadelphia 30 minutes after your connecting flight to Zurich has left the runway. Then imagine adjusting your flights with the US Airways Customer Service rep, only to board your flight to London and sit on the runway for an hour. Then landing at Heathrow 45 minutes before your flight to Geneva takes off, finding you have to go through customs and security <i>again</i> because you're an international traveler. Then imagine running on to your connecting flight as Swiss Air closes the jet door right behind you. Then when you arrive in Geneva, your bag is nowhere to be found and neither is the wi-fi you were depending on to find out where to meet your friends. <div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And you'll have a perfect picture of our first 24 hours on the road.</span></span></div>
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Or...of our entire trip, start to finish. I wish I could tell you it was fantastic, phenomenal, utterly inspiring and I'll never be content to stay home again. But I can't. Travel challenged and stretched us way beyond what we asked for. I was hoping for posts and posts worth of stories to tell, but what really stood out is what we learned from it all. We learned more about ourselves, each other, and how to make the best of things than we learned about any culture or language. And for that, it was worth it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES_eHHq27Na62nX8J1TCWVK6w3XtHCM5R5zxeIL7Wq1ZMA48NXweh-e6KKufyN5dD3-si1xJazCFccfG5QnXTHWB-g2vTDPP6EPPv-EEr_cvrzjWlN6Gec8HedPkIMyN8GeWRv8U6LKe7/s1600/p20110903-090536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES_eHHq27Na62nX8J1TCWVK6w3XtHCM5R5zxeIL7Wq1ZMA48NXweh-e6KKufyN5dD3-si1xJazCFccfG5QnXTHWB-g2vTDPP6EPPv-EEr_cvrzjWlN6Gec8HedPkIMyN8GeWRv8U6LKe7/s320/p20110903-090536.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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I learned that when you're wondering whether or not to hold your tongue, hold it. I also learned that European bus drivers won't wait for you, even when you're ten yards away and running. Run faster. And don't plan a rigid itinerary that will be ruined if you miss the bus (we had a very loose itinerary and still had to run. A lot.). I learned that people are still people no matter where you go. I learned that a government has a whole lot more to do with the personality of a nation than I realized, and it made me love my home in America and made me want to fight for it.</div>
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I could tell you stories about our boat ride across Lake Luzern, swimming in a cold mountain lake in Interlaken, biking 26 miles roundtrip to find some old Scottish castle ruins and to climb the famous boulders at Dumbarton. I could tell you about the one time Jonny and I had a fight. Or I could tell you about my first meal in Scotland, when I tried to sqeeze a little lemon on my fish and chips, and instead of landing on my fish, the lemon juice hit the lady's face at the table next to me...and at the table next to her...and at the table behind them. Yes. Even the lemons in Scotland are feisty. But those weren't the real highlights of our travels. </div>
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Despite all the mishaps, we will look back on our time together with a lot of joy. It was a sweet time. I was amazed at the sense of peace I had when everything went wrong, again and again. God was there with us, and every day He gave us reminders of His presence. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." And that's true even when I'm lost in a tiny French village just outside Geneva, when nobody but Jonny knows where I am. </div>
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My next few posts will be pictures and/or videos of our journey. We saw some beautiful things and they're worth looking at. And Jonny is blogging his adventures over <a href="http://inscotlandsyard.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>!! Check it out. </div>
Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-58432683381113164882011-08-31T03:35:00.001-06:002011-08-31T03:35:45.951-06:00Two Weeks Vacation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHTfaw2ICs_dPn2QUCUuZ89hwtGBJO6aBxnHK4AvVRn_GvsGLaPy99XkVPPxILWoYwciyg0jScuEyFQokY_SKweAwPHKr64Ol9h0dC9fWpGuGO-g6CJB4HB4FC0TjnASoBcPo8cxZqQzk/s1600/p20110831-101836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHTfaw2ICs_dPn2QUCUuZ89hwtGBJO6aBxnHK4AvVRn_GvsGLaPy99XkVPPxILWoYwciyg0jScuEyFQokY_SKweAwPHKr64Ol9h0dC9fWpGuGO-g6CJB4HB4FC0TjnASoBcPo8cxZqQzk/s320/p20110831-101836.jpg" width="191" /></a>Hi from Glasgow! I didn't think I'd be able to blog while I was away, so this is fun. My brother and I galavanted across Switzerland last week and are getting to know Glasgow this week. We've been to Edinburgh and caught the tail-end of the Fringe Festival, and today we have some biking adventures planned.<br />
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The two of us have learned a lot, even about communication. When we were in Switzerland, he was just about the only human being I could talk to or have any sort of meaningful conversation with. A week of this and you almost feel like Castaway. No, that's dramatic. But really, you learn to hold your tongue a lot and go with the flow a lot and choose to remember the adventure instead of the hassle.<br />
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Of the European countries I've spent any time in, I'd say that Italy (six years ago) is inspiring, Switzerland is breathtaking, and Scotland is great fun. The Scots are a dadgum fun people. I confess you'll be hearing much more about Scotland than about Switzerland. I had a difficult time connecting to the culture in Switzerland, and you can only write so much about beautiful mountains. The minute we arrived in Scotland though, we felt like part of it all.<br />
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Much more will be coming, so stay tuned. I'll tell you a story or two.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-53839750776119726342011-08-16T22:30:00.000-06:002011-08-16T22:30:01.340-06:00The Way You See ItWhen life fills with change, I notice the way I see things. We all have our everyday routines and may not think much about how we look at life because it's so... ordinary. But perspective can make a gloomy day cozy or it can transform a friend's thoughtful gesture into an annoyance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRaHuOpJNHq0GX08yEpAJRYC6knvD1hhnGCAUNTrvSVY8OdaJCRoQ7cWSGlEgRrc9bKjCuMGUI9yus15euwyG3pNs3WPxlJkMNFSGT9buLX77XOzPVpp9hQsFR8njrcl1lU9STtZSwBqW/s1600/p20110812-100321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRaHuOpJNHq0GX08yEpAJRYC6knvD1hhnGCAUNTrvSVY8OdaJCRoQ7cWSGlEgRrc9bKjCuMGUI9yus15euwyG3pNs3WPxlJkMNFSGT9buLX77XOzPVpp9hQsFR8njrcl1lU9STtZSwBqW/s400/p20110812-100321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This has been on my mind since Sunday, when I sat next to a blind woman in church. My church likes their music loud, and they usually stick to contemporary songs. But these old lyrics were sung so we could hear the voices next to us: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." When I heard her voice for the first time, she sang about looking at Jesus. I know what it's like to look someone full in the face while everything else fades away, but my idea of the face of Jesus is clouded with thousands of other images of faces. It's possible that the only face she knows intimately is Jesus' face. Perhaps people who can't see the world around them can most certainly see, but they see different things and in different ways. It's possible that they see more of what really matters.<br />
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I sit at a desk from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 at night, every day. With two days left at my current desk, the way I think about my work is opposite of how I'll be thinking about it at my new desk. Here, all is coming to a close. There, all is just beginning.<br />
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I'm about to travel to new places and see people go about life in ways I've never seen, and I'm sure it will change my routine back here in Colorado.<br />
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Everyone needs a perk-up now and then -- a little jolt in the ol' daily grind. Sometimes we can't keep it from happening, and sometimes we have to nudge it along. I'm ready to freshen up a bit and take notice of how I see things.<br />
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Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-38154524514681719072011-08-11T12:52:00.000-06:002011-08-11T12:52:25.556-06:00What's New...Ever had a good friend grow distant, and when you see each other it's awkward because in the same moment you know them so well, but don't know them at all? Blog, let's make up and be friends again. This is awkward, and I've missed you.<br />
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We'll do a life update today, only because I've been on excitement overload for the last month and there's a lot to share. One week from today is my last day in the office. The non-profit world has taught me well. I've learned about people, the importance of strategy, problem solving and seen what goes on behind the scenes. I've also learned that when it comes to non-profits and me, I'm much better on the outside looking in than on the inside looking out. So off I go to a new workplace to learn an entirely new set of information. I'll be working at a small financial planning firm in downtown Colorado Springs (why, yes, the offices <i>do </i>face the mountains!) and studying financial terms and concepts. A whole new world, but one worth learning.<br />
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So I step out of my office for the last time and step onto a plane bound for Geneva just a few short days later. Jonny is studying in Scotland this fall, and we're going to explore some of Europe for two weeks before classes begin. You will most definitely hear about it. I'm hoping to take some video footage and perhaps my first vlog will come out of it. We'll have to see.<br />
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I return from Europe to start my new job and then board another plane with another man headed for another place I've never been. Boyfriend Matt is taking me to visit his Minnesota hometown. I thought I had an adventurous life, and then I dated Matt. My heart has nearly burst a dozen times from all the adventure we've had.<br />
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Needless to say, life is rich and full at present, and I'm reveling in the new. God is kind, and I'm as convinced as ever that He hears even our smallest, most insignificant prayers.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-12583090958911030112011-07-06T22:18:00.001-06:002011-07-06T22:19:25.098-06:00Livin' la Vida ColoradoFifty-three mountains over 14,000 feet in this square state of ours, and these Colorado people have it in their heads that climbing to the top is a great way to get a little recreation in on a weekend. After completing my fourth summit this Sunday, I'm wondering what all the rage is about.<br />
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Is it the soaring sense of accomplishment or the beautiful scenery? The adrenaline rush that comes with wondering just how long your brain can last with minimal oxygen? The physical workout? Or maybe it's being that much closer to heaven?<br />
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My feelings may have something to do with last September's climb, where I was literally wondering if I would open my eyes and see the pearly gates instead of the rocks I was sprawled on. Altitude sickness isn't one of the items I would choose from the list of things to experience on a free weekend, so I was shocked when I found myself asking my little brother if he wanted to hike Pikes Peak -- America's mountain -- on Independence Day weekend {aww...}.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5IAIqoHkzyIwOVbKzaMRJ0sXP1Oi8gDMU04fdaQtSma4NB0BZbmF_PpGm_AKu_k10S2xi6RKrS0F5YwgiaQShA62ZPgvhE9Uop_f16vebBYZz0_NRXYcpcXoj85SYR4NMsmBOpqB2AST/s1600/p20110703-163100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5IAIqoHkzyIwOVbKzaMRJ0sXP1Oi8gDMU04fdaQtSma4NB0BZbmF_PpGm_AKu_k10S2xi6RKrS0F5YwgiaQShA62ZPgvhE9Uop_f16vebBYZz0_NRXYcpcXoj85SYR4NMsmBOpqB2AST/s400/p20110703-163100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's the little champ now, taking it all in</td></tr>
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We hiked The Crags on the back side of the mountain -- the shorter, slightly more beautiful trail -- and made it 13+ miles roundtrip in just over seven hours. We stopped often on the way up to gawk at the views and were, surprisingly, some of the only hikers on the trail.<br />
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Approaching the top, Jonny says, "I feel like there should be a crowd of fans up here cheering us on. I'm needing some recognition... something." He's right. This is how you feel, especially when you're climbing a tourist mountain. Everyone else up there either drove cars or rode the train and were there to buy magnets and high-altitude donuts. We felt proud of ourselves, so we had a tourist take this here picture:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtoWIn5CejtOhVw5-QLwVXlbbed-V7GxiGhW-SgiI2pEIS3k7iy_NYJ7f3DTPHaFCKrQOLNfthqD_0bJjRNflAoOpxLu4CBTi7dvTeH8RSdLV47x8Hbt8lSyk2kzlgb-fJ47C-DTyCrP1/s1600/p20110703-165127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtoWIn5CejtOhVw5-QLwVXlbbed-V7GxiGhW-SgiI2pEIS3k7iy_NYJ7f3DTPHaFCKrQOLNfthqD_0bJjRNflAoOpxLu4CBTi7dvTeH8RSdLV47x8Hbt8lSyk2kzlgb-fJ47C-DTyCrP1/s400/p20110703-165127.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Here's a tip for your next 14er: hike with people who aren't funny. Laughing hard above tree line gets dangerous...you go to catch your breath and find yourself with no breath to catch.<br />
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I know you hardcore backpackerettes will be ashamed when I admit to you that Jonny carried the pack most of the way, up and back. We brought one pack, so naturally, we both couldn't carry one the whole time. And because it was heavy on the way up and Jonny's a gentleman, he carried it. Because a storm was coming on the way back down and I was slowing the pace when I was carrying it, he was kind enough to take it back.<br />
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What I really have to say about climbing a 14er is this: if you have the urge to do it, you must. It is worth it. You won't ever forget what the world looks like from the top. If you don't have the urge to do it but think you'd like to be talked into it, I can refer you to a friend... Despite my feelings toward 14ers, not a day goes by that I'm not amazed by Colorado, and these mountains have everything to do with it.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-11616611106465111972011-07-05T10:15:00.000-06:002011-07-05T10:15:23.723-06:00Independence DayI know, it's July 5th and Independence Day was yesterday. But because thoughts on things happen before, during and after the moment, I'm writing about yesterday, today.<br />
<br />
Americans love a party. We recognize trees on Arbor Day and celebrate the weather on Groundhog Day, and we even throw parties for other countries' holidays. But there's something different about the fourth of July. It's a holiday with no fuss, no gifts, no cards. Instead of sitting around a formal table with family members only, we fling open the doors and take the party outside with family, friends and neighbors. Paper plates, chips and salsa, burgers, hot dogs, and outdoor games are all part it. Something about this holiday lures everyone <b>out</b>. We're comrades, fellow countrymen, co-enjoyers of this wonderful home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CvPGYLpgJHgQWowL7gwGD8w_NZwx7clnQNMjqBTGvNoW4zFCV89PXYxnMwjzsOL7shom73kp4L9vqZRfbqAsmfAKEedmJ8jIN_eYLalVrWrk_CYetUfz7AVxYth1_vIUyguv8xuQ3uCc/s1600/american-flag_w725_h544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CvPGYLpgJHgQWowL7gwGD8w_NZwx7clnQNMjqBTGvNoW4zFCV89PXYxnMwjzsOL7shom73kp4L9vqZRfbqAsmfAKEedmJ8jIN_eYLalVrWrk_CYetUfz7AVxYth1_vIUyguv8xuQ3uCc/s320/american-flag_w725_h544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Beneath all the casual fun is something very significant. Deep inside, we have an immense sense of gratitude for all that was done to secure our independence. Standing amidst hundreds of other Americans with my hand over my heart while our national anthem plays is a tremendous privilege, and I did nothing to earn it. Given that, I have a responsibility to protect it and make it the best it can be for my fellow people. I was also reminded that we fought for independence from something so we could be dependent on something else. The people who founded this country weren't seeking anarchy -- they sought a government under God.<br />
<br />
America is a gift, and I'm so glad to celebrate it with all who are proud to be American.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-48388840672705913472011-06-01T11:49:00.000-06:002011-06-01T11:49:40.620-06:00Why She Drives CrazySee previous post, <a href="http://annaforbes.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-she-is-late.html">Why She is Late</a>.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-21608823639905732952011-06-01T11:48:00.000-06:002011-06-01T11:48:23.304-06:00Why She is LateWhat do we all know about women? We run late. We're late in the morning, we're late in the afternoon, and we're late at night. <div><br />
</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Why?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"> </span></div><div><br />
</div><div>Here's my explanation. I guarantee it's not true for all women, but I guarantee it's true for some. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Reason #1: She doesn't want to admit to herself it really takes her <i>that </i>long to get ready, so she only allows as much time as she wished it took her. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Reason #2: The outfit that looked perfectly fine last time she wore it is horrendous today, and for reasons she can't explain. Choosing another outfit could make her want to give up and crawl back under the covers. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Reason #3: Every day, she is faced with new dilemmas: a dull razor, a face that needs a lot more work than usual, unruly hair, or throwing a lunch together last-minute instead of making it in peace the night before. Thus, the time between stepping out of bed and stepping out the door is different every day. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Reason #4: She has an amazing view of the mountains out her back door and lingers there too long. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Reason #5: Once she is already out and about for the day and has to be somewhere, odds are she's enjoying where she is currently and doesn't want to leave. She may be talking to someone and is fully aware she should've left five minutes ago but couldn't or didn't, therefore she is now late. </div><div><br />
</div><div>What else do we all know about women? They're always worth the wait.</div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-38820562659452112642011-05-31T13:08:00.001-06:002011-05-31T13:12:24.630-06:00The Blob Revisited<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwMwWKu45PcbrzmeWtpJ7clspm_Jqb-7nrFm0kC5BmPqVZxxGUcP2wvsAmR6Ycm646wuXx9DrW7L6fOV9AbESfr_S6YY7is-9BOdtYIcTN9uwaldbu9XZGY00un9sEgWnJtyxihhRyLQA/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwMwWKu45PcbrzmeWtpJ7clspm_Jqb-7nrFm0kC5BmPqVZxxGUcP2wvsAmR6Ycm646wuXx9DrW7L6fOV9AbESfr_S6YY7is-9BOdtYIcTN9uwaldbu9XZGY00un9sEgWnJtyxihhRyLQA/s200/Picture+1.png" width="200" /></a>Almost exactly one year after writing about <a href="http://annaforbes.blogspot.com/2010/06/blob.html">my Blob</a>, a Blob member informed me last night that reading it had <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>warped his mind</b></span>. He refused to elaborate. This got me thinking about my dear ol' Blob and how it has evolved into more of a Holidays-and-Special Occasions-only Blob, hence yesterday's Memorial Day Cookout. The handy thing about holidays and special occasions is they are just that, occasional.<br />
<br />
Let's face it: co-ed is complicated, especially when it's on an all-the-time basis. But I must admit, some things are more fun with men around. Cookouts, for example, and wallyball, and camping (who's going to scare the bears away?) and when doing hard things, like unbolting the satellite dish from your balcony in the dark.<br />
<br />
I don't advocate segregation. Nope. I'm all for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>integration</b></span>, just on the right terms. My Blob has done a great job of this (and is much of the reason we are no longer a blob). In the past year, many of them have started seriously dating or are married or engaged. The interesting part is that very few of them found someone inside the Blob. They looked outside and <b style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">voila</span></b>, there he was.<br />
<br />
Our get-togethers now are full of fun and great conversations, and I can be at ease because I'm not hyperventilating over what I wonder might be happening behind the scenes. <i>"He talked to me all night last weekend too...is he interested?!?" </i>or <i>"Why <b>isn't </b>he interested? Can't he tell I'm dropping hints, and can't he see that we get along <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">famously</span></b>?" </i>See? Complicated. But from what I can tell, the occasional times we all come together are lower pressure and 100% enjoyable. And who knows -- maybe under those terms a little romance will actually have room to blossom and breathe.<br />
<br />
I still can't support the Blob as I knew it before, but I can't deny how much <b>joy </b>a healthy, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">mixed </span>group of friends can bring to life. I suppose Solomon was right when he suggested there is a time for everything.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-62201083876604616072011-05-17T12:50:00.000-06:002011-05-17T12:50:53.025-06:00Dogs and DTRsTwo dogs accompanied my weekend. One big, one little, both perfectly charming. House/dog-sitting for a friend was risky business when I'm a selective dog-lover. But these two came with rave reviews, and they exceeded expectations. Except for one thing: they wanted too much love and cuddles. I'd never heard of such a problem.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYH8IDrsHBZusp1WjEDu8GqH2uU55VipVwRz40GGx_iLEXNTlwvnVKVMDdI2VO4JSb-DiCwekY6qlNNTTsOVXQs2lbqdiTdPL__zy4K_BZcNKJsvXZibtSJ68Kd2Z7Om8-W27dicBuprv/s1600/hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYH8IDrsHBZusp1WjEDu8GqH2uU55VipVwRz40GGx_iLEXNTlwvnVKVMDdI2VO4JSb-DiCwekY6qlNNTTsOVXQs2lbqdiTdPL__zy4K_BZcNKJsvXZibtSJ68Kd2Z7Om8-W27dicBuprv/s320/hero.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmoyzvE3JLz3zeUSI23QJtQhKa9Lm_t2YHPjODMHMu1vtmdwDPDTk-9g6kTmpUHfsZpEW7mFPdymdCRSpU09X_uvX58i3RsGf7cEjVzZ2Ckj1y7WRaNDYqh3snxzHFxBsOuXESh0ZIrgb/s1600/dolce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmoyzvE3JLz3zeUSI23QJtQhKa9Lm_t2YHPjODMHMu1vtmdwDPDTk-9g6kTmpUHfsZpEW7mFPdymdCRSpU09X_uvX58i3RsGf7cEjVzZ2Ckj1y7WRaNDYqh3snxzHFxBsOuXESh0ZIrgb/s320/dolce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolce</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Night one: I felt like a million bucks. Everywhere I went, they went, and they wanted to snuggle. I'll take it!<br />
Night two: ...Okay, my clean clothes are now dirty...haven't you loved enough? Alright fine, come here.<br />
Night three: It was time for "the talk", especially with the larger than life German Shepherd, Hero. "Hero, I've really enjoyed meeting you. You're great. Fantastic, even. But...I think we're moving kinda fast. I need space and time to think through all this and I'm feeling a little, well, suffocated. See, I'm new to this whole thing and it's taking longer than I expected to be ready for it. Am I making any sense?"<br />
<br />
He still didn't get it, but his persistence won me over. Dolce, or Little D, was an easy sell. He fit nicely in my lap and never thought our noses needed to touch. Oh, and he was cute as a button. I'm officially one step closer to saying I like dogs. For you dog-lovers out there, I understand. And I'm trying -- I really am. I'm confident that one day, with the right dog, I'll fall hard. Until then, I'm learning dogspeak for, "It's not you, it's me."Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-26500652529478730192011-05-11T13:59:00.000-06:002011-05-13T14:33:25.813-06:00Routine ChangeMy dad is a man of routine. Any time of day, I could tell you his exact location, what he was doing and maybe even what he was eating. After trying hard to live a more spontaneous life, I've lately begun to see the beauty of routine. Life around me changes so fast, everything familiar is now a friend of sorts. <div><br />
</div><div>The squirrel pattering his way across my roof just a few minutes after my alarm wakes me, the man on his smoke break waving at me as I drive past him on my way to work, that table against the wall where Kristin and I drink coffee together every Thursday morning, and my first peek out the window to see how beautiful Pikes Peak looks today. The content of today, its conversations, its highs and lows, will all be different than they were yesterday. These little things I used to think were boring and predictable and I tried so hard to avoid are now things I notice and savor every day. The same is true of the sunrise and the way the sunlight and shadows look on the mountains just before the sun goes down. They are faithful. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When I try to explain to myself why we human beings like routine, the best answer I can conjure is that it reminds us every day of our humanity. From the first day of life, we needed a constant, but we also needed change. We can't avoid routine. The clock moves by the minute, the birds sing, we wash our faces and brush our teeth...or at least I hope so. We can't avoid change. The traffic patterns are different, our energy is greater or less than yesterday, and the phone rings with news. Life needs both. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Is it possible that God designed the world just so, including our routines and changes, to help us better understand Him? The only things we know for certain, the routines, are that He is here with us now, He was there before we were, and He will be there at the end. Everything else changes. We're promised good and bad, difficult and easy, but the details remain a mystery. We're given just enough constant to endure the changes. That's all we need. </div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-16436441740392704842011-05-08T20:33:00.000-06:002011-05-08T20:33:02.511-06:00Home and Away<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf9hOpVwho4A5htDOj5be0-wtl_5j11lC56DThhcGihmcFSLR13Fna2bHsktDno0cETmknQ_ixpgyHw0lrihvqjCJcI8KklRfhob-2bvB9COIjGoGuyntX1suCGrXaNYkeZV8oD0QQxZt/s1600/IMAG0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf9hOpVwho4A5htDOj5be0-wtl_5j11lC56DThhcGihmcFSLR13Fna2bHsktDno0cETmknQ_ixpgyHw0lrihvqjCJcI8KklRfhob-2bvB9COIjGoGuyntX1suCGrXaNYkeZV8oD0QQxZt/s200/IMAG0342.jpg" width="179" /></a>Goodness me. I forgot about the blog for three weeks. April was a big month. I turned 26, decided on some important things, bought a classic black business suit and had it tailored (felt so grown-up), and took my first shot at watercolors. I just returned from a work trip to Washington DC, and the project that made me cry and inspired my last post turned out to be nothing at all. It went even more smoothly than last year, and I'm convinced prayer had everything to do with it. I was on my knees about that whole thing, and not a single person was lost in my records. It was a miracle.<br />
<br />
DC taught me...<br />
<br />
...how I really feel about home. We left Sunday morning, and by Sunday night I missed Colorado. Where are the mountains?! The sky?? A smile on the street? Help!!!<br />
<br />
...that I'm accustomed to friendly downtown Colorado Springs, where it's only a little creepy to make eye contact on the street. In the big city, it's risking your life... or other important things.<br />
<br />
...it's possible to feel like a month fit inside a week, and to be mentally present for the entire thing. I don't think I thought of anything but work for five days straight.<br />
<br />
...I can fit a lot of good food in my belly.<br />
<br />
...Newt Gingrich is just a normal guy.<br />
<br />
...a joyful heart is good medicine.<br />
<br />
...an early morning walk is brilliant, except when high heels are the shoe of choice today, tomorrow, the next day, and the next, for 12 hours minimum. <br />
<br />
I couldn't be happier to come home to Colorado, to a day that beckons everyone outside and delivers blissful adventure with every step. It's the sort of place that gives room for thought and makes it very hard <i>not</i> to think of the majesty and grandeur of God. Maybe one day I'll get over my Colorado-love, but not today or tomorrow.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-83930465235618325622011-04-14T13:25:00.000-06:002011-04-14T13:25:44.944-06:00My 9 to 5 weep.Yesterday was my first on-the-job cry. It was bound to happen one of these days. Also noteworthy, my office wall is glass. This means I can run, but I can't hide. I quickly realized it's possible to care deeply about something without knowing it. And then when something threatens to ruin the whole kit and kaboodle -- my work baby -- I'm suddenly aware that I would work as long as it took to make it right.<br />
<br />
Who knew I cared about data? It's not the data, really. It's the people the data represents. You see, their names will become faces and bodies in just a couple weeks, and my job is to 1.) know that they're coming to our event, and 2.) prepare in advance everything they will need for the week. So when our trial-phase online database decided to move over to real-phase and omit some very important information, I got queasy. Real queasy.<br />
<br />
I don't think about this often enough, but what I do here (and everywhere, really) has a consequence. It reflects onto something. In this case, it reflects on my company. There are no actions without reactions. Months ago, I was debating whether or not to enter all the information in two different places, just for safe-keeping. I decided not to, and now I'm wishing I had. We humans have very little foresight. I don't know what will happen after I click "Publish Post" or what will happen at 5:30 this evening, or on my 26th birthday. But whatever I do will have a consequence. That little nauseous feeling in my stomach reminds me that my actions affect others, just like our software company's actions affected me.<br />
<br />
Today I'm considering what and who I represent and what my life means because of it. And for now, I need to avert crisis and recover what's been lost. Adios.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-62717500613028104292011-04-05T13:05:00.000-06:002011-04-05T13:05:20.554-06:00The CousinsThe cousins flew out from Los Angeles last weekend for a Colorado Getaway. This whole side of my family is a magnet for unusual circumstances. What would be highly unusual for most people is normal for them. KD fell through the library ceiling at school, Marcy and I crashed our bikes every ride because we were talking, and Susannah totaled the family friends' golf cart. Spending time with them is one big, delightful mess.<br />
<br />
It was no surprise when the first story I heard after picking them up from the airport was that Aunt T's butcher knife had been confiscated at Security. Because she put it in her carry-on to bring as a gift to her sister.<br />
<br />
On our way home after 11:00 p.m., the natural thing to do was stop by the Air Force Academy to visit cousin Ty who has to be back in his dorm by midnight. We pulled up to the guard house, rolled the windows down and stared (smiling) at the guard, who stared (not smiling) back at us. After a pause, Aunt T said, "We're here to see a cadet." Guard said, I need to see your military ID. I said, "How about a Colorado driver license?" He said, "I need to see your military ID." I don't have one of those. "Okay, I need you to pull over and get out of your vehicle after I check your trunk. The driver (that was me) will need to come inside." Great. After signing some papers, we took Ty out for ice cream and back to his dorm in 20 minutes flat.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning, we were back at the Air Force Academy for a parade.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YZIaoQVNgRK1CXzM_vq7r1m1EMiG8kbVR1MyKbO8ZgNyk-ivC7-2F-Pq62cgJFWeiuLO_V2v0opvElSKcJAWtW6Z5jHZt3t5SNlhacQcWXazhKDd708AzvPS3N3PfhMcoSbef_xq2Pzt/s1600/IMAG0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YZIaoQVNgRK1CXzM_vq7r1m1EMiG8kbVR1MyKbO8ZgNyk-ivC7-2F-Pq62cgJFWeiuLO_V2v0opvElSKcJAWtW6Z5jHZt3t5SNlhacQcWXazhKDd708AzvPS3N3PfhMcoSbef_xq2Pzt/s400/IMAG0289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Need I say more? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On their way to my house Sunday night, they were interrogated at King Soopers after they took the next day's pastries, just delivered by Starbucks. They were on their way to the register when they were stopped by an employee, "Ma'am? Ma'am!! May I ask why you're taking tomorrow's pastries??" They bought coffee instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was my life in college, when their house was where I spent most of my time. Always weird, always fantastic, always an adventure. I wish you could know them. </div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-23826143659617371172011-03-25T13:17:00.000-06:002011-03-25T13:17:26.274-06:00Clammy ClamHere's what I know about clams:<br />
- On my tongue, clams feel like tongues.<br />
- Clams are known for their happiness.<br />
- That's all I know about clams.<br />
<br />
Clams should not be famously happy. They should instead be famously stubborn, closed and taciturn. Years ago, little brother Jonny and I sat on the sun-soaked steps outside our room in Santa Barbara trying to open a clam. We made zero progress after a very, very concerted effort. Jonny even tried to pry it open with a knife (Sorry, PETA, we were curious children). Nothing except a chip out of the shell. The clam and its chip are now somewhere in the bushes outside Casa Del Mar, and may he (she?) rest in peace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmnxTKpy3R9v6o9bkrTil7TFNl1ZCPfnxsuAl2MiRrcd5ojVV2tTXY4t6WuFk-G_oKqKa2ZZOwWIZx8o45D6WUIozPVso5DQnVP8y0DZkU_q86VO6w1mBa0g-iTbNiDOTa4G2ii6rej53/s1600/800px-Butter_clam_close_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmnxTKpy3R9v6o9bkrTil7TFNl1ZCPfnxsuAl2MiRrcd5ojVV2tTXY4t6WuFk-G_oKqKa2ZZOwWIZx8o45D6WUIozPVso5DQnVP8y0DZkU_q86VO6w1mBa0g-iTbNiDOTa4G2ii6rej53/s320/800px-Butter_clam_close_up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">closed clam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I sometimes share this clam-like quality, because it's easier to lock some parts away in a vault than to let people see. It's more comfortable to look to the side than to look someone in the eye. It can be frightening to think someone might be able to see my insecurities, my fears, my broken dreams. What would they do if they knew?!<br />
<br />
Most of us have scars, big and little, left over from living openly in front of someone who made us never want to open up again. My natural reaction is to close up shop, call it a day, settle for "normal". But then we stumble upon Luke 4:18-19 and discover another option. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim <i>release to the captives</i>, and recovery of sight to the blind, to <i>set free</i> those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord." Jesus Christ came to set free.<br />
<br />
What response could a person have to incomprehensible love than total freedom? Jesus saw my worst. Dirty, ugly, dead. But He didn't turn away. He wanted me. And that's what His sacrifice on the cross means for all of us. I belong to Him, today, tomorrow and forever! Why would I want to close up and live in fear of being known? He knows everything to know and still loves.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bwaj0hgwq3fw1s23RoTILoxO0uZD5nRBj370Jlx6QszCenzXqJ1n2NU4xqnLTJVlDvFKZEahgD5isgxVwywkVLHz5UXp-m2IcR82h1v3hgj1qwK73K_edgBsArYOw4UOgesbgRZmk0L8/s1600/800px-A_clam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bwaj0hgwq3fw1s23RoTILoxO0uZD5nRBj370Jlx6QszCenzXqJ1n2NU4xqnLTJVlDvFKZEahgD5isgxVwywkVLHz5UXp-m2IcR82h1v3hgj1qwK73K_edgBsArYOw4UOgesbgRZmk0L8/s320/800px-A_clam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">open clam. As you can see, open can also be ugly.<br />
But that's okay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Responding to an offer of freedom doesn't come without risk. There is still huge risk of hurt. But think about the risk of <i>never </i>opening up. Ugh. The people I enjoy and admire most in life are open. They're not afraid to let me see their mistakes. I've seen them without makeup on, and we're still friends. Growth happens when we open up. We benefit, others benefit.<br />
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When you watch the blossoms open on trees the next few weeks, try to follow their lead and live a life of open beauty. We want to see you.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-25626716218445868112011-03-24T13:10:00.000-06:002011-03-24T13:10:13.977-06:00A Blessing and a CurseThe Taurus and I were driving home the other day when it happened. I liked the song playing on the radio, and I actually reached out my hand to hit "Like". Where I thought my hand was going, I'm still not sure. It wasn't until I almost touched the dashboard that I realized my car has no "Like" button. That's only Pandora and Facebook. <div><br />
</div><div>On numerous occasions when I've needed a tool of some sort (a vacuum, hammer, bottle opener, etc.), my first thought is to see if my phone has an app for that. This is embarrassing! Am I dumb? Maybe. But I live in a world of electronics. People almost don't know how to experience life without an electronic device on or near their person at all times. My very first instinct when I encounter something I like, dislike, or need to solve, is to see how my gadgets can help me accomplish what I'm doing. I have a huge world out there. One so big it fits in the palm of my hand.</div><div><br />
</div><div>If I didn't have Yelp mobile, how would I <i>ever </i>decide where to eat?! If Pandora didn't create perfectly customized playlists, I might not even like music, or know half of what I listen to even existed. How would I ever have time to pay bills, get directions, and read the news if I couldn't do it on the go, when and where and how I wanted to? </div><div><br />
</div><div>This perfectly customizable life is the good life... right? We've arrived? </div><div><br />
</div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-15756886241232846932011-03-22T22:47:00.000-06:002011-03-22T22:47:57.644-06:00Party of One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmWv8jCQReyVnEljmOlHp-_fU6cfpd8sNkEZRtZCe3IPGkm4wBnGUHKVuQdYSEDHOUB00TqyfHQevCQzQP5cGBotIWPc6TIw73QdCdJ-XSRF9WuyQazLy601PG03gpHa_BoMto7814cNF/s1600/nepj_340px_Japanese_Urban_Expwy_Sign_Number_1.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmWv8jCQReyVnEljmOlHp-_fU6cfpd8sNkEZRtZCe3IPGkm4wBnGUHKVuQdYSEDHOUB00TqyfHQevCQzQP5cGBotIWPc6TIw73QdCdJ-XSRF9WuyQazLy601PG03gpHa_BoMto7814cNF/s200/nepj_340px_Japanese_Urban_Expwy_Sign_Number_1.svg.png" width="144" /></a></div>I try my darndest to avoid the "relationship" topic on the blog, mostly because I'm single, don't want to be single forever and don't want to talk about my good/bad/mediocre dates here, for all the world to see. A blog is not a diary, or at least this one's not.<br />
<br />
Last Saturday, I celebrated an engagement for the 47th time this year. Okay, fifth time. Sixth. And it was the sweetest thing you've ever seen. He wrote a song for her, and in the last line asked her to marry him. A sweet little "yes!" squeaked out between sobs. It was also the first proposal I've ever been invited to eavesdrop on.<br />
<br />
After the congratulations and hugs were all given, I plopped down on an oversized chair with my other single friend, looked at her and said, "We're it." We're all that's left of this massive, thriving, singleness that was our huge group of friends. Singleness in group form is fine. Great, even. Singleness in single form is, well... single. At my finest moment of drama later that evening, I felt as though all my friends and I were waiting at the station for the adventurous train of wonder. They all boarded and waved at me through the windows as they pulled away, smiling and cuddly. I sat there on the bench, forlorn, wondering what I'd just missed.<br />
<br />
That lasted about a day. Because after I cry, I must laugh. And single ladies have a lot to laugh about. My roommate and I couldn't move the entertainment center. My entire weekly grocery purchase fits in the 15-item Express checkout line. Bridesmaid dresses have their own line in the budget. And then there's navigating the dating maze, which is a book all by itself.<br />
<br />
I'm preparing for a bit more difficult and lonely road ahead, and I can smell the desert-like place I was in two years ago. I could never describe that time as fun, but it was perhaps the most meaningful time of my life. If I can say that about whatever lies ahead, I will be thankful for every moment no matter how hard it is. Remember that <a href="http://annaforbes.blogspot.com/2011/03/heres-surprise-for-you-colorado-springs.html">piece of art</a> I wrote about earlier this month? What that lion symbolizes has taken center stage in my heart, and resting in the warm companionship of his protection and grace is the only place I'd like to be right now.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-50224999645522996502011-03-17T12:33:00.000-06:002011-03-17T12:33:32.291-06:00Buds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMFo5EIYWCqldl1nLMcbftKKzHjE879jcAXYqGjPkYx7Hv4UydjEkFbkmzdytslSfm6gkEbWx7F0EV6dkqxtA1y7rnzA1WOa7swqE1VA5VMWyHAQ7tVEDP7OAmxyEGD_LyNZx3bkSqu24/s1600/tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMFo5EIYWCqldl1nLMcbftKKzHjE879jcAXYqGjPkYx7Hv4UydjEkFbkmzdytslSfm6gkEbWx7F0EV6dkqxtA1y7rnzA1WOa7swqE1VA5VMWyHAQ7tVEDP7OAmxyEGD_LyNZx3bkSqu24/s320/tulip.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>Windows open for the first time in months, flannel sheets return to the closet, boots and scarves switch places with the shorts and tees under the bed. It is 66 degrees at this moment, and the people love it. Ski dreams are done, and now we start to dream of gardens, concerts in the park, patio dinners, and bicycles.<br />
<br />
I can't help but be excited for the new season, and confess that I will lose sleep due to anticipation. It's bad. But this is true of every season. I have the same thoughts four times a year, so forgive me if this post is a repeat.<br />
<br />
There is a tinge of sadness as we say goodbye to winter for another year, but buds on trees and the warm breeze on my face make me smile. A new season is a delight for the senses. It brings a sense that this change is just how things should be. This is how the world works.<br />
<br />
I can't deny the underlying surge of comfort and peace that come with this change, because my soul knows it's a sign of faithfulness. This may be why we find such pleasure in watching the sun rise or set. It's not because we fear we'll never see it again, but because we know we will, and comfort is in the beauty and the steadiness. In this God tangibly shows His presence, His steadfastness and His attention to detail. When a bud turns into a blossom, we know He lives, and that He's worthy of trust.<br />
<br />
I hope you see peace and joy in this change, wherever you're enjoying Spring.Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-5702263454876446972011-03-14T22:43:00.000-06:002011-03-14T22:43:36.490-06:00Chateau de PevetoTucked back in the evergreens, around the bend in the road and across the creek is a little place I like to call Chateau de Peveto. I packed my overnight bag, grabbed my hat and drove an hour and a half northwest last Friday to visit my friends, Travis and Heidi. They left sidewalks and front lawns behind about six months ago to start a new life in the wild, with the pine trees, the animals and the mountain folk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57d8hzX-jAOqkdb2QbaEgs7yNefkE22b3oL0xOQ4Ku2AI3f-iTzHlORIhzfDhMtWhkf3fOCEKBADrE29IOWh6SiMlWoLg9A_YwQOvxIXNHlk8cKWz2EwPjR5mKYGTfukQWADqKR5-dQ1S/s1600/IMAG0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57d8hzX-jAOqkdb2QbaEgs7yNefkE22b3oL0xOQ4Ku2AI3f-iTzHlORIhzfDhMtWhkf3fOCEKBADrE29IOWh6SiMlWoLg9A_YwQOvxIXNHlk8cKWz2EwPjR5mKYGTfukQWADqKR5-dQ1S/s400/IMAG0247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Chateau de Peveto.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NiNnyMdrCkF6sksD8PBDMApOB6VAnRU3ICo5BR8YJ1ZSRTYUW_1WRWwDTjtAoANqiVEJNDAW4GNlbvbSzIPi7JtMJQIIy3EUst-bVxxW-381PWvlX2ndsM35qBM6Z0syVItdftWD4TYa/s1600/IMAG0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NiNnyMdrCkF6sksD8PBDMApOB6VAnRU3ICo5BR8YJ1ZSRTYUW_1WRWwDTjtAoANqiVEJNDAW4GNlbvbSzIPi7JtMJQIIy3EUst-bVxxW-381PWvlX2ndsM35qBM6Z0syVItdftWD4TYa/s400/IMAG0256.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Mr. and Mrs. Peveto, and this creek is in their front yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; visibility: visible; width: 450px;"><object height="470" width="450"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.musicplaylist.us/mc/mp3player_new.swf"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_regular_noautostart.xml&mywidth=450&myheight=470&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musicplaylist.us%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D84624084%26t%3D1300163536&wid=os"></param><embed style="width:450px; visibility:visible; height:470px;" allowScriptAccess="never" src="http://www.musicplaylist.us/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_regular_noautostart.xml&mywidth=450&myheight=470&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musicplaylist.us%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D84624084%26t%3D1300163536&wid=os" width="450" height="470" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"/> </object> <br />
<a href="http://www.musicplaylist.us/"><img alt="Get a playlist!" border="0" src="http://www.musicplaylist.us/mc/images/create_gray.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.musicplaylist.us/playlist/21663765515/standalone" target="_blank"><img alt="Standalone player" border="0" src="http://www.musicplaylist.us/mc/images/launch_gray.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.musicplaylist.us/playlist/21663765515/download"><img alt="Get Ringtones" border="0" src="http://www.musicplaylist.us/mc/images/get_gray.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">What does one do in a place like this?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">First, you breathe. Literally. The air is as clean and fresh as it gets. You might even feel that you as a person are cleaner and smell nicer, unless you sit too long at the soup bar and smell like cafeteria for the rest of the day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Second, you breathe. Figuratively. This life is the simple life, and it causes you to breathe slowly and deeply and to notice your surroundings. Most evenings are spent in front of a wood-burning fire with a good book, hot tea, two big dogs putting their noses in your ear (or maybe that was just my ear), and the peaceful company of the one you love. Saturday mornings are slow, with a delicious breakfast made in a sun-soaked kitchen. After the scrambled eggs, bacon and pastry, you could stroll around the property and discuss whether or not you should raise goats, what to do about the fence you want to remove or where to put the ziplines for when the mountain children come along. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Third, you wake up with the sun no matter how late you fell asleep. But you're excited because you know if you put your feet on the cold floor and walk to the window, the view will be worth it. You realize that silence is good for you, and that when you're hanging your legs over the barn loft door, everything in life is carefree and happy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjraw4hpc2WaxAuvQCX-aczLplIeiZHSagt31kMODHlwY-LwK6sLD35UGHwWsbILENaQpNFqycyTqWMJAOdcWlN_dt9LcQio83J8ywfmedlpLewCVKp6hWIbkSjcNWluzchHcdvN6jGFcA/s1600/IMAG0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjraw4hpc2WaxAuvQCX-aczLplIeiZHSagt31kMODHlwY-LwK6sLD35UGHwWsbILENaQpNFqycyTqWMJAOdcWlN_dt9LcQio83J8ywfmedlpLewCVKp6hWIbkSjcNWluzchHcdvN6jGFcA/s400/IMAG0250.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The whole place sings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you want the insider's perspective, read Heidi's thoughts on mountain life <a href="http://wildernessruminator.wordpress.com/">here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104724294285874516.post-28335154370125179822011-03-11T12:19:00.001-07:002011-03-11T12:20:00.508-07:00Ignorance does not equal BlissThis morning was spent in a small room with older, wiser people who have spent years on their knees before God. They know Him well and they know His Word, and it was from that perspective that they talked about the current state of world affairs. It's a frightening thing and can be overwhelming if I lose sight of God's promises and stop talking with Him. I need to wake up. Life requires more than enjoying its beauty. It seems like a storm is coming, and according to Scripture, this is correct. I don't want to be blown over because of a weak faith.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6riy1SOKuQ/TGk_ooF5-qI/AAAAAAAAFLI/ODeAEd1LdXQ/s1600/Between+a+rock+and+a+very+wet+place+Man+confronts+Mother+Nature+as+giant+waves+batter+Australia's+Bondi+Beach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X6riy1SOKuQ/TGk_ooF5-qI/AAAAAAAAFLI/ODeAEd1LdXQ/s400/Between+a+rock+and+a+very+wet+place+Man+confronts+Mother+Nature+as+giant+waves+batter+Australia's+Bondi+Beach+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Travelfwd blog*</td></tr>
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</div><div><div>John 15</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="verse-num woc" id="v43015004-1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 0.25em; padding-right: 0.15em; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="woc">Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="verse-num woc" id="v43015005-1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 0.25em; padding-right: 0.15em; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="woc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">.</span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="woc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">We are safe and fruitful only when we abide there. Nowhere else. </span></span></div>Anna Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434286725933606380noreply@blogger.com1