Dad's 5 K win

Dad has had an 8 year goal to beat a certain time in his IBM 5 K.  He did it this year!  I am so proud of him!  He did it in 24:35!  He was happy and he was glad he had continued to run.  Good job honey!!!!

Visit to Cleveland

It had been a long time since I saw my family, almost a year. 

We did 22 hours of driving. 

It was worth it, sore back and all.

We started out doing sealings in the DC temple. 

We hit tons of DC traffic, but made it to Sarah's in time, just after we stopped for dinner at Applebees.  

Sarah's kids were waiting for us at the door in their pjs, and this time Trevor was not one bit shy, nor Alexa.

They were truly excited to have visitors.  They proceeded to show us their many treasures and toys, till they had to go to bed.  Alexa was saddened by this news, but, as all good children do, she went up to bed crying and fell asleep holding her blanket and bear.  Trevor was allowed to say up 15 min later, and snuck down the stairs a few times to peak at us playing a game. He eventually gave up and also fell asleep.

We played a new game I am buying for Christmas.  I am thinking that since we played it once, we have a better chance of beating the rest of you during the holidays.  It was fun, and dad won, followed by Tom.  They were surprised to see how good we play strategy games.  (I use the pronoun 'we' loosely)

We slept well in their spare room, and Eric made us healthy whole wheat pancakes with homemade maple syrup like dad's family used to make .  

We left at 8:15 am, as they had a birthday party for Trevor at 9 am at Chuck E Cheese, and we had a long drive ahead of us.

Mom looked older, and more frail. She now has a perm.  My sister and Fred had come in to town the day before to set everything up, prepare dinner, and keep mom calm.  She was so excited to see us all!  The 4 of us children were all together for the first time since the reunion we had that one August.

The extra guy in the pic is Jesse's fiance, Dan.  

All enjoyed being together and talking.  My sister planned a spiritual program to honor Tom, and asked him questions about his mission.  He did an excellent job bearing his testimony and answering her questions, like; did you feel God protecting you?  Did you see any miracles?  She is just awesome!  It went very well and I am glad she did it with Frank and Jesse there.

We slept at Michaels, went to church, and headed over to my dad's.  Carol made a delicious turkey and dressing meal, which dad especially loved.  

She surprised us all by bringing out pictures.  It was the first time ever I saw pics of her as a little girl.  She brought out a few old ones of great great grandpa Pylick and his brothers that I had never seen. Dad answered a few genealogy questions for me.  It was great!

We left at 3:13 for the long ride home.... 

Some Recent Pictures of Hazel & Speed - Enjoy!

And since the slideshow is being dumb (stupid Picasa!), here's a link if it doesn't work for you:

Speed's Latest

Just one of the guys

For years I have planned this coup to get my family to move to Arizona. There were several reasons I wanted it to happen (surprisingly I really like them), but there was one reason that has become fulfilled that reminds me of something I have been missing for the past couple of years: cool guys.

For the past couple of years –and really beyond that if you include while I was in Hong Kong – I just haven’t had a guy or group of guys to do “guy things” with. What are guy things? I’d list things like: having someone come over to watch a football game, go play a game of basketball or tennis at a moment’s notice, or even just work in the yard. A few of these things you can do by yourself, but it is much better with somebody else there.

For example, a little over a week ago when Max Hall was starting his first NFL game with the Cardinals, I was so excited. In the past I would have sat down and watched most of the game alone with many distractions and little interest from Tevia or even the boys. But when Jimmy (and Kathy, who I’ll admit is not a guy) came over to watch the game with me, it was a lot of fun. The fun factor went up significantly. And this was something I had been missing for some time. The fact that I can get Jake and Jimmy to come play ball in the morning – or tennis in the evening – adds to that extra fun in life.

I’m not sure why it seems I don’t run into a lot of “guys” these days. Certainly there are plenty of “males” around. But for whatever reason, it seems guys are a dying breed. They are out there. I see them on TV at the football and basketball games (though maybe most of these can’t actually play sports anymore). But for whatever reason it seems guys just start disappearing after the age of about 23 or 24. Maybe it is an indication of the Mormon culture, as certainly I interact with quite a few Mormons. Are they too busy with church and family to fit in “guy” time? Or have these things slowly become “evil”? I think there is some truth to the last statement (not that it is evil! But rather that people think this way). Morning basketball is a great example of where for years anytime something goes missing in the church it is always the fault of the morning basketball guys. It was only a few years ago when I was playing at a church on Tuesday evenings with quite a few non-members that eventually a local leader came in and said we could no longer play there – ever. This was after I had been playing there for nearly a year with some of the nicest guys I have ever played basketball with. Or have men slowly lost touch with their masculine side as they tend to get heavier? Or are women just keeping their men on shorter chains these days?

Maybe it is a combination of these things, but it isn’t just Mormons. I certainly could find plenty of guys out there to come watch a game (especially if I supplied the beer), but to get them to actually play a sport like football, basketball or tennis? That’s a whole other level. They just aren’t out there after a certain age.

But with the arrival and Jacob and Kathy and their respective “better halves” I have instant guys to do things with. They’ll play basketball, tennis, work in the yard, get tickets to a football game, watch sports, cook BBQ and just do guy things – which may even include some Madden (which we have yet to play). And once Tommy gets here we’ll have nearly a clan of guys – at least temporarily. If pops would ever wake up and realize the advantages of the “bros in the desert” he could add to this masculine mess and enjoy the fruits of guyhood (careful –t hat says GUYhood).

So a big bro hug to Little Brother Wall and James. Thanks for listening to the siren song of Phoenix. Thanks for being in good enough shape to actually do things (can’t wait to start up football!). And thank your wives for knowing that you are guys and need to get out and do things. Once we get that hottub set up we can get a TV out there, put in a rootbeer tap and create the ultimate man cave.

When Hazel Met Dora

Earlier this year, I bought a zoo membership. This is not something I would normally do because I don't love zoos that much. But admission prices being what they are, if I used it even twice, it would pay for itself and then some. Turns out there are other perks to being a zoo member: early admission to the zoo and money off some of the special events for example. So this, our third trip to the zoo in two months, was one of those special events we got to attend for a reduced price.

Hazel and I woke up bright and early today to go to the zoo to meet....::drumroll please::.... Dora the Explorer! And by bright and early, I mean before the sun. Just goes to show how much I love my daughter that I'll wake up at 6 am on a Saturday.. :) It was a breakfast and play time with Dora, and considering Hazel's show preferences lately, I thought taking her to something that involved Dora would probably be a win.

We got there in good time and after a quick trip to the bathroom, I decided that waiting in line to take a picture with Dora should be done sooner than later. I had tried to explain to Hazel that we were going to go meet Dora, but I don't think she got it. Then I pointed Dora out to her...and she still didn't get it. When we were about third in line, she finally got a good look at her and shouted "DORA!" and grinned her biggest grin I've seen in a while. She ran right up to give Dora a high-five when it was our turn but she didn't want to stand there by herself, so that's why I got to be in the picture too.

I got us some breakfast and got us seats so Hazel could keep watching Dora if she wanted to. She did for a couple of minutes and then decided the food was more interesting. By the time we were about done eating, Dora was taking a break to do some "exploring" in the general direction of the restrooms. When Hazel saw Dora leaving, she shouted out "DORA! Bye-bye!". It was very cute. And when I say shouted, I mean shouted - we had several tables of people laughing at her cuteness.

After breakfast came the toys. Fischer-Price was sponsoring this whole thing, and they provided a nice variety of toys for all the kids to play with. Hazel's favorites were the Little People dolls and their accessories, especially the ones with swings and the house, and the Thomas the Train "choo-choos". There was one that I thought was pretty cool - you shone a light and the Thomas would chase it - I just looked it up and it's called Follow Me Thomas. So there are some good ideas for Christmas presents, those who have been asking. :)

After an hour and a half, I finally convinced Hazel that we'd had enough of the toys. She was a trooper and only cried for a minute until she realized that when I said we could go look at the animals, I meant "right now". On our way out of the Children's Zoo area, she got to pick between a backpack and a lunchbox (she picked a backpack, of course - you don't ever see Dora with a lunchbox, do you?) and she also got a Deigo toy, which she was very excited for.

Since the zoo had just opened to the general public, I decided that it was now or never to see the koalas, who are visiting the Phoenix Zoo until March. Last time we came (with the sole purpose to see the koalas) there was a 60 minute line so there was no way we were standing in that. Today it was only about 2 or 3 minutes, so that's a bit more doable. They were cute, but not doing a whole lot.

After that we checked out the giraffes, as usual. I think her fascination with the giraffes has less to do with those animals and more to do with the little tower you can climb to get a better look at them. Then I decided I wanted to take Hazel to see the tigers and lions. Now, what you need to understand (those of you not familiar with the Phoenix Zoo) is that the lions and the tigers are way, way, way far away from everything else. It's like the zoo has left a bunch of space to expand as they get more money, and it seems they stuck the lions and tigers out in the middle of it. But it was the only part of the zoo we hadn't seen yet on our various trips, so away we went.

I'm sure in reality, it's really not that far of a walk to this part of the zoo. But when you're trying to keep a tired 2 year old moving faster than a snail, trust me, it seems forever. Hazel invented a fun new game I like to call "Chase My Shadow" where I'd run ahead of her and she'd try to step on my shadow. (Kathy just taught her about shadows the other day.) So that helped keep her motivated and then we sang songs the rest of the way. I got a couple of weird looks for singing "Old MacDonald" all loud but whatever - Hazel was happy so I was happy.

Unfortunately, our walk didn't end up being worth much. The tiger was way in the back of his area hiding under a bush and the lions were sleeping with their backs to us. So I don't think Hazel actually saw them or recognized them for what they were. It was too bad, but at least I got some exercise. I had Hazel ride on my shoulders on the way back so we could get home some time before dinner.

After one more time up the giraffe tower, we went for our usual carousel ride, which Hazel really seemed to enjoy extra today for some reason. She gave her zebra lots of pats and kept saying "Nice zebra." Yes, it really was that adorable. And she kept tilting her head up to look at the top of the carousel as we went around - I think she's trying to figure out how it all works.

Then we headed over to the water fountain area so I could sit down for a bit and Hazel could go nuts in the water. At least I planned ahead this time and brought her swimsuit so she wouldn't have to ride home in just her unders like last time. As you can see, she had a blast.

Apparently, it was a successfully fun day as evidenced by the level of exhaustion she hit on the way home. It was very fun for me to spend some quality time with my girl. She is such a joy to have in my life and I love her so much.

Hazel's Head

Here's the story of Hazel's head (sorry I got too lazy to take some pictures to make the narrative more interesting):

Last Sunday evening, mass chaos had ensued as 4 of the 5 adults in the house were busy making a large lasagna dinner for everyone. (I don't remember what Jacob was doing - most likely playing a computer game of some sort.) All of the sudden we heard a crash from Kathy and Jimmy's room - where Hazel was playing with their puppy, Dash. Knowing Hazel's fabulous track record with broken glass, I ran in quickly to assess the damage.

Upon viewing Hazel and Dash's relative positions, the best I could deduce was that Dash was behind the rocking chair and Hazel was in the rocking chair rocking back and forth, facing the back of the chair (probably trying to see Dash). One of my lovely Ikea lamps lived behind the rocking chair - you know, one of those lamps with the glass lampshade? Well, it looked like Hazel rocked a bit too hard at one point and knocked the glass lampshade into the wall, shattering the one side of it.

I grabbed Hazel and handed her off to Elyse (Kathy's friend who was visiting for the day) and helped Jimmy clean up the glass. After we got that dealt with, I went to go give Hazel a little hug and have a short talk about being soft with things that are made of glass. I took her hand to give it a kiss when I noticed that it was covered in dried blood.

I want to note that Hazel had not cried or whimpered or made any sound to indicate she was hurt at all. We did get a nice loud "UH-OH" at the time of the crash but by the time Hazel was sitting on Elyse's lap on the couch, I think they were talking about Dora or something else.

Anyway, I rushed Hazel into the bathroom to wash off her hand and try to see where she was cut. However, after much gentle rubbing and much examination, I found one teeny-tiny scratch that was so small, there was no way it could have produced that much blood.

So there I was, completely stumped, when I noticed Hazel's head....

On the lower left part of her head, the hair was completely matted with blood. I asked her if she had any owies and she patted that spot on her head and said "Head. Owie." I called for Jacob (he's much better with bigger wounds than I am - ok, better with any wounds than I am) and he got to work, washing it out, cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide, and most important, making sure there was no glass remaining in the cut.

Hazel was amazing. She NEVER cried at all. We got a few whimpers when the hydrogen peroxide first went on, but that was it. She was a very good girl and held very still while her daddy cleaned her cut and got all of the hair out of the way so we could assess the damage. That girl definitely has a high pain tolerance.

The cut was a very weird shape that we're all still a bit puzzled by - it was shaped like a capital I. But despite my initial worries, there was no glass stuck in the cut, so after Jacob finished cleaning it, he pulled out the handy-dandy super glue. Hazel was having a hard time not picking at it once the glue was on, so that's why she got her giant bandage.

We took the bandage off Tuesday evening, and I would've taken a picture, but there's not much to see right now. There's still too much hair stuck in with the glue. But it should start rubbing off in a couple more days so we'll be able to see what fun shape of scar she'll have.

Oh, Hazel-girl. You do keep life interesting!!!

wormwood- dad's 2 cents

Dad reminded me this morning that the word 'wormwood' is used a few times in the bible.  I looked it up this morning, and sure enough, it is. It is a very bitter herb, but used metaphorically as sorrow or calamity.

50 brownie points...

to whoever guesses what Hazel did to earn herself this lovely bandage...

Hint 1: No, she didn't just slap a big band-aid on her head.
Hint 2: No, we didn't have to take her to the hospital.

I'll post the story in a day or two.

screwtape

Dad & I are finding this book very difficult to read right before bed each night.  It is really hard to grasp each concept in each paragraph.  I was wondering if while you guys read it, you can kind of make notes to summarize what basic principle each chapter is trying to say?  Or we could divide it up by chapters and each take a few chapters to analyze and make notes for.  Or you probably are all smarter and have it all figured out already.

The Train

I was determined to leave the office early on Friday. Tevia had witnessed that working abroad actually means “working” and hadn’t seen my home earlier than 7 or 8 pm most nights. I wanted Friday to be different and so urged my coworker to leave around 6 in order to catch the train and get back to the hotel by 6:30 or so. This would give me more hours to spend at dinner with Tevia as we began the beloved weekend.

We arrived at the train station as usual and waited on the platform. From time to time high speed trains would go by so quickly that you often wondered if anybody accidentally got hurt. The word from locals was that this happened from time to time, but not accidentally. It was a good spot to end one’s suffering. Our train quickly approached and we boarded. This train was a “double-decker” meaning it had two levels. We opted for the top level so we could have a better view of the Seine as we headed to Paris. After a minute or so we were greeted with an announcement in French. My understanding of French is minimal, but add an intercom to the language and it is basically inept. I heard a few words like “Paris” and “stop”. After the announcement a large amount of people exited the train. But we noticed a few people stayed on, and so we decided we would stick with the train as they probably just announced some delay (very common). After another few minutes the other people sitting by us exited, leaving us alone on the upper level. As we contemplated getting off the train started, closed its doors and headed down the track.

As it passed the first stop I got excited, thinking maybe it was going directly to Paris and wasn’t going to stop at any of the other stops, and thus getting us to the hotel even sooner. But after another few minutes the train began to slow down; and then it stopped. It hadn’t stopped at the next station, but rather in the middle of the track. There was no announcement. My mind began to race in trying to figure out what was going on when all of the sudden the trained turned off its engine and the lights went out. This is when your imagination can run wild.

I casually headed downstairs to verify the assumption: that we are alone. Confirmed. I then tried to go through the doors to the next car, but found that on this train you cannot move from car to car as the doors are locked. Many scenarios went through my mind. I wasn’t scared. My coworker was a little more concerned, but he basically stayed where he was and continued to state “I knew we shouldn’t have gotten on this train”. Here is a list that went through my head:
We can get out via an emergency exit but need to be careful as high speed trains also use these rails. Fortunately to our East was a wall and no track. This was a feasible plan to exit on that side and walk to the next station.
Is there a way I can communicate to the conductor? Many trains have buttons to talk to him/her. This one did not. There was an emergency stop handle with a large sign (in French) stating that to pull this in a non-emergency was a crime and you will be punished. Was this an emergency? Will pulling the lever cause damage to the train?
Maybe we should just wait this out. The train has to move at some point.
Tevia is waiting for me. The ONE DAY I get to leave early and THIS happens!

After another minute or so I decided to call our office. I spoke to one of my coworkers who was shocked at our situation and she urged me to pull the emergency lever. I protested, but she persuaded me that this WAS an emergency and that I should just pull it and let her know what happens. I hung up and decided it was a good idea considering the conductor may not stay long on the train (maybe he has already left?). So I pulled the red lever. Not much happened. A small noise sounded and a red light illuminated. But that’s it. And so I waited.

After what seemed like minutes a voice came through the speaker. He spoke French (and only French I confirmed with my basic French) and didn’t seem too happy. But I really couldn’t make out what he was saying and after trying to communicate with him the speaker went off and I stood there wondering what was going to happen. Would he now come and rescue us? Was he saying to chill out and hold on as the train will get moving in a few minutes? Did he yell at me and suggest I would be prosecuted for pulling the emergency lever?? My coworker noted that the conductor might be scared. For all he knew we were a bunch of killers luring in the French conductor. Or even worse, he knew we were alone and was coming to take out some stupid American tourists. I figured he’d seen a few too many horror films and told him this was the best story he was getting from this trip and to sit back and enjoy. We did sit back for quite some time.

Another long stretch and then we heard a key in the lock. Somebody was coming in. The conductor arrived spouting French and gesturing us to follow him. He led us out of the car onto the ground (on the safe side of the train) and pointed north. I figured, as did my colleague, that he wanted us to walk back to the station (probably a mile or so up ahead). But as we began walking he yelled at us and pointed to the next train car. He wanted us to go up into it. This seemed odd, but we did as he instructed – or at least what we think he instructed. He then led us deeper into the train and locked/unlocked dozens of doors as we headed down the long string of cars. I’m not sure why we had to exit the car we were in, but we didn’t have to do that on any other car. Eventually we got to the front/back of the train. I assumed he would then have us leave the train and walk, but I was once again incorrect. He got on the phone and I heard him call the last station and mention that he was going back there and to stop any trains on that track. I’m sure he added some commentary like “I have these idiot Americans that I have to take back to Soutreville so please stop all trains during rush hour to accommodate them.” The train began to move and we quickly arrived at the stop and were invited to get off the train. As we exited the train he blew the horn, which was quite loud and startling. I’m guessing he did this as a goodbye present – but we didn’t look back to give him any satisfaction that he scared us or anything. We acted like it was entirely normal as an American to be stranded on a train and then be driven back to the last station during rush hour.

During this time I actually called the office again and assured them we were safe and being saved. They informed us that the trains had stopped due to a bomb scare at one of the stops and thus all trains on that route were being shut down. It must have just happened when we got on as it wasn’t on the monitors when we got on back at the office; but it was at this point. This meant we had to take the long way home via train. I couldn’t believe my luck. On the one day I left early I not only get stranded on a train but then have to take a completely different train home which takes twice as long. Meaning that I actually wouldn’t get home until even later than usual. As I stewed on this thought and waited for the next train, another train from the same line arrived. This was the line that was closed. But when it arrived it opened its doors. It was like it was teasing me. “Get on board, silly American, let’s see if you will fall for this one again”. My companion insisted on not getting on the train, but as I saw other people get on I decided to go for it. And to our joy it was the right choice. We made it quickly and without incident back to our stop and were still back to the hotel before 7 pm. And I got to leave Paris with a great story.

Highlights of Europe 2010

London
I love Pret a Manger (a restaurant). I have known this for years (since Hong Kong). But by my second week I gave up on even trying to eat anything else and would just take the underground to the next stop and buy a sandwich at Pret. My favorite since Hong Kong (Brie, Tomato and Basil on a Baguette) was replaced with their new Prosciutto, Brie, Tomato and Lettuce. I am often tempted to open one here in Phoenix just so I can eat there. We were also able to eat there in NYC this summer, which was a highlight. So as much as London gets knocked on for bad food, there are some great places.
To continue on the food note, one evening we stopped at a French restaurant called Café Boheme. We got there very late at night (typical on business trips) and were actually able to get in. I ordered the beef tartar which was probably the best tartar I have ever eaten. Considering I’d only had it once before, that isn’t too big of a deal. But I had it a few times in Paris this summer as well, and this one was just as good if not better. I know that for some people it looks like a pile of ground beef, but the taste and texture is exquisite. I imagine this is what the raw meet the Nephites had to eat tasted like. If so, they were lucky!

Having been to London a few times, this last trip I was running out of things to do and see. I did manage to make it to the temple this time (which is NOT in London, by the way, but a considerable and pricey trip down to Surrey). This ended up being a great trip and the temple was beautiful. Another thing I decided to do was to take a boat up the Thames. Our office (and thus my hotel) is located in Chiswick which is west along the Thames. They do have some boats that serve as taxis from downtown to that area. I decided to give it a try. It is a 90 minute or so ride down the Thames and the weather was typical London weather where one minute it is sunny and warm and the next minute it is breezy and cool. The skipper narrated many parts of the trip and it was interesting to listen in. But most of the time I just enjoyed relaxing on the water, watching birds on the riverbeds, and listening to Slacker radio. As we approached the stop to get off, I was surprised to learn that the one bar near our hotel was a favorite of Oliver Cromwell over 300 years ago.

On Sundays it is always difficult to find things to do while on business as you don’t want to do anything contrary to the Sabbath, but at the same time you don’t want to just sit in your hotel room and do nothing. My last Sunday in England I decided to try out a park that we had passed when looking for a home last year. The realtor had mentioned that this park is great for Sunday afternoons and they even have deer. So I got on the train and headed to Richmond. I hiked up the hill to the park and realized that this park is huge. And it was beautiful. There were miles and miles of trails and tall grass and even little mounds that reminded me of Lord of the Rings. There were also large areas of trees that you could wander. I arrived late in the afternoon with the idea to look for some deer and sit down and read (I had brought a book). I had only walked about a mile when I was startled by a noise just a few feet from me in the brush. Lo and behold it was a deer! It had a beautiful reddish-brown coat with white dots and a fairly large rack of antlers (probably around 6 points on each side). I stood and stared with the animal for several minutes and then decided to move on. As I moved several more deer popped up from the brush. At this point I decided I would stay in this area. There were some woods just a few yards from the brush, so I made my way in there. I climbed a tree to get a better view and avoid scaring the deer and sat and watched them for nearly 30 minutes. After that I sat and read and watched and enjoyed seeing other people walking through the park, many of them with dogs. I was amazed to find such a site in London, where you couldn’t tell you were near a metropolis and you could see miles of flora and fauna. It was a wonderful evening. I walked back down into town in the evening and enjoyed a great meal prior to heading back to the hotel.


PARIS
A few years ago when I was in Paris I dreamed of a day I could bring Tevia and enjoy this city that won my heart. Last year as I stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower I was once again overcome by the urge to bring Tevia to the city of lights and stand on the Eiffel Tower with her. This year it came to pass. And it was all I imagined it would be. Though I had to work long hours and didn’t get to spend as much time as I would have liked, I was able to share many of the things l love about Paris with her. The biggest part being spending time in the most romantic city I have ever visited. For whatever reasons, this city brings a sense of love and romance. Even just walking down the street you see people holding hands, kissing, hugging, and even such romantic oddities (at least in the USA) as holding the hand of the woman beside you and stroking it as you look into her eyes. And people look at each other. They don’t just look, they stare. They are engaged, enraptured, captivated. It is enough to make an American uncomfortable as we come from the land of avoiding eye contact. It was enough that one of my coworkers noted at dinner one evening that he thought the two women beside us must be lovers as they constantly looked into each other’s eyes. But no, they were not.

Add this feeling of friendship and love to cooler nights and the habit of eating dinner outside, then you are provided ample opportunities to hold your loved one’s hand, and hold her close as you wait to cross a street. You are often expected to sit “next” to your lover at the table and not “across” from them as you would typically in the USA. I found this to be really cool – and though at first I thought it would be hard to have a conversation, the opposite was in fact true. And it made eating the customarily long dinners wonderful as we could hold hands in between courses or during moments of cuddling. Even sleeping on the hard, small bed in the cozy, small hotel room was fantastic as it felt as if we were years younger and who cares if it isn’t the biggest and best hotel room. I enjoyed every second spent with Tevia in Paris. We enjoyed some wonderful meals – my favorite being a meal up in Montmarte near Sacre Coeur. The meal consisted of some wonderful hot chocolate, some escargot, some wonderful cheese and meats and a great dessert. The atmosphere was awesome as we sat outside under a large tree and watched the sun creep closer to the horizon. The meal most likely took hours, but that was okay. We engaged in great conversation and enjoyed being “together”. And I think this is what Paris does: it brings people together. As you would walk down streets you would look and see happy people. People smiling, laughing, smoking together. And they probably do this every night but it never gets old. I feel we have lost that sense of community and friendship in the more sterile and cold USA. At a restaurant in the USA I barely look at those around me, and certainly wouldn’t stare. But in Paris people are looking around, smiling at strangers, and even winking or flirting unabashedly. These innocent things don’t lead to one night stands or upset egos, but rather an uplifted self confidence and a feeling of being present, or in the “now”.

A wonderful day in Paris with Tevia may consist only of waking up and enjoying a small breakfast of “chocolat” with “pain chocolat”, walking down the Champs hand-in-hand, finding a small café to enjoy a great baguette with ham and cheese or some other fantastic filling, enjoying the view of beautiful architecture and old buildings and then finishing the evening at another café while eating such delicacies as raw beef and snails. The only thing missing is a beach (but they do have the wonderful river Seine to view and walk).

In the end it was an unforgettable trip with the love of my life.

vocab?

Okay, I know everyone is busy, but I thought you all told me you were on bored with this vocab thing. I didn't not see one person use the word agog.
It's only one sentence guys!
In or Out? Dumb idea?  I can take it.
Who would like to pick the next word?

The news is agog this morning with stories of flooding, power outages, and rain totals.