Thursday, December 31, 2009

Top 20 Pictures of 2009

I was trying to get it down to the Top 10, but by the time I was looking through February, I was already crying...so it was a stretch to narrow it to 20.

I've done my best to link each photo to the blog post {stories, memories, lives} attached to it, in hopes that you who are interested might read more and even look at the other pictures from that day.
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This was New Year's Day 2009...oh, the Eldoret Express
{pictured here: Andrew and Daina}Teaching the Class 8 boys {who are now awaiting acceptance in to Secondary School!}
Martin, Stone, Justus and their teacher
Kamau's first day in House 3...
{Joseph, Kamau and Anthony}
Taking Benja to the Kitale Club Pool
My Ringworm...and the Poem it inspired.
Emmanuel. The once-malnourished, then-obese, no- darling baby boy
{pictured with Tanya}
Oasis of Hope Camp {Day 3}
The first day Oasis was in the new building!
Oh man, did I cry that day.
My first day home from Kenya...spent with three of my best friends
{the picture is blurry, but the excitement is not lost}
So many nights in the alley are represented by this one picture.
The White Trash-poline. So classy. So fun.
In keeping with the classy...here's how we began Fourth of July weekend.
Yep, I rode a kid's motorcycle...and was pretty terrible at it.
I ran two PDYM conferences this year.
This is from the final night of the Student Leadership Conference.
I love Dom.
I spent a ton of time with the Mariners' College Ministry.
Me and Kayla at the RA Bowling Night...
My first day of work at Mariners resulted in my first black eye.
The Fall brought another trip to Kitale...and with it, more adventures.
A clinic with Sister Freda, her staff and Richard.
I love Benja.
We had a HUGE dinner at the Girl's House on our last Friday night...
even Lucy, Erica and Peter came by to eat.
The Street Boy's Tour of Kitale.
Probably the best day of 2009.
Our very last day in Kitale.
Spent with my favorite humans on the planet.
So they get two pictures from that day.
10-second timer...Bre and I laughed so hard

I've had a really, really, really great 2009.
Here's hoping 2010 is just as memorable.

2009 Questions

I've done this same survey for the last three years...you can read them HERE, HERE and HERE.

1) What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Moved to Corona del Mar. Began attending {and working at} my new church. Visited Boulder, CO. Rode a motorcycle. Had a black eye.

2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I've had the same resolution for the last few years: to be smarter. I think I've succeeded every year. This year, I will begin by learning all 195 countries of the world. {Thanks to Leigh for the idea...and the link!}

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
I don't think so...I think all of the babies were born in 2008.

4) Did anyone close to you die?
Yep, my Aunt Angie

5) What countries did you visit?
Kenya

6) What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A smaller dress size, a grasp on the Swahili language--same as the last two years...

7) What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 17: I came home from Kitale.
September 1: I started my new job.
October 1: I went back to Kitale.

Probably a few more not-so-specific dates.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Helping a bunch of teenage boys pass their end-of-the-year exams.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Well, I did take a spill on my skateboard.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
Mattresses for the boys sleeping at Oasis.

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Quite a few people, I would imagine.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I can't recall anyone specifically.

13) Where did most of your money go?
Kenya. Rent. Starbucks. Urban Outfitters.

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going back to Kitale. Mariners church.

15) What song will always remind you of 2009?
"One Step At A Time" by Jordin Sparks. "Disturbia" by Rihanna. "Single Ladies" by Beyonce.

16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? Yes Healthier? Slightly... Richer? Definitely not

17) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercised. Read. Studied Swahili.

18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'd like to do less of nothing...you know, maybe more of the "more of" things.

19) How did you spend Christmas?
Dinners, gifts, movies, naps...read about it here.

20) Did you fall in love in 2009?
Of course I did.

21) What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother. Dexter.

22) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.

23) What was the best book you read?
Fathered By God. Thoughts here.

24) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Well, I sure do love Jay-Z.

25) What did you want and get?
Perspective...some wisdom

26) What did you want and not get?
I don't think I have an answer to this question.

27) What was your favorite film of this year?
Away We Go

28) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
27. I had a giant dance party and three huge birthday dinners. {Here, here and here}

29) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Michael C Hall {mostly because I love Dexter}

30) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Dresses.

31) What kept you sane?
Alley-time at the Maguire's

32) Who did you miss?
These guys.

33) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
God is good. All the time.

34) What did you gain this year?
A few pounds

35) What did you lose this year?
A few pounds

36) Who was the best new person you met?
I don't know that I could choose just one...I have a bunch of new people in my life this year.

37) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"All of my life, in every season, You are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship."

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I'm Out of Boulder Puns

My final day in Colorado was very fun...

It began with coffee {of course} and then a walk with Reese
and her new shoes...What a sweet little outdoor patio
We left Boulder early to spend some time exploring Denver.
We had lunch at Noodles & Company
then walked through the mall, which ended at the Capital Building
We even saw Union Station {with a great old 40's design}
and Coors Field {home of the Rockies}
We got in the car to drive to the airport and I realized that I didn't have a picture of me and my dad...so, we took one. All of the great places we visited this week and our picture is in a parking garage in Denver. Classy.
I had a really, really great week. {Even at 30-degrees today}
I'm really excited to see my dad again {hopefully soon!}

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Mild, Medium, Boulder

After a nice, warm cup of coffee this morning, we took Reese out for a walk.
This little squirrel was brave enough to play chicken on the bridge.
We visited the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Three exhibits on two floors, including a big display of chicken coops.
It was all slightly underwhelming, except for this San Francisco artist whose paintings made up the entire second-story display. {Her art reminds me of "Aaahh! Real Monsters!"}


We had some tasty pizzas for lunch and made a trip to Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods before it was time for my free massage. The St. Julien Hotel gives each guest $50 per day to spend in the gift shop, spa or hotel dining. So, I took advantage and had a great massage today!

We spent the rest on dinner tonight.
Who knew that the "famous dish" was homemade, gourmet tator tots?!
Mmmm...so, so good.
Full from dinner, we took a brisk walk around town.
Here's the courthouse decorated for Christmas.
My dad's house is really coming together...
Here are a few pictures he took to show the progress.
I love the giant, dark-wood door

And, of course, the projection screen
{it did make Julie and Julia a lot more delicious-looking!}
The craziest part of it all is that there is no freight elevator in the building, so the only way to get furniture in {and eventually out} is over the balconies. Evidently, everything in the building {refrigerators!} had to come up over the railings of the balconies.
We watched them lift some building supplies in this morning. What a crazy process!
I'm flying home tomorrow. It's been a very, very fun {and super delicious} week...Hope I can frequent Boulder to see my dad and eat some food!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Bould(er)ing With the Homies

Day two in Colorado was even more fun than day one!
Not as chilly, which definitely added to the enjoyment.

We began the day with a big cup of coffee and a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin.
And then took Reese for a walk around the Boulder Creek.

It is seriously beautiful!
{and I did take all of these photos myself}
We walked at least a mile {in snow}...and even ventured off of the trails for a bit.
My dad apologized a few times because I was in tights and a dress, traipsing through the trees. But Jessica would have been so proud of me...no runs in my tights and no issue with climbing in the skirt!

Here's the Boulder Public Library. It is gigantic and really pretty.
I suggested that my dad get a card, though I'm not sure he will.
Reese loves to chase the squirrels. She even tries to climb the trees to catch them. We had at least three groups of people stop to pet her and talk to her.
{Crazy how much people like dogs.}

After the walk, we headed in to town to look around in a few bookstores.
My dad bought me this book: Wild Things by Dave Eggers.
We continued to walk through town, in and out of shops, meeting some of the people my dad has begun to make friends with. It was fun to watch the older woman at the bank or the people at the furniture store who know his name and even a bit about his story. Nice to see him beginning community already.

We had a REALLY delicious lunch at a French Brasserie.
{Including a breaded goat cheese appetizer...yum.}

::: A few hours later :::

We went to see "Up in the Air"...
Then had an AMAZING dinner at Med {a Mediterranean restaurant.}

At risk of becoming my mother, I had to take a picture of our dessert.
A chocolate ganache-filled souffle with vanilla ice cream and candied almonds.
Oh my goodness...I went back to my hotel room feeling a bit nauseated, but so pleased.
The hotel I'm staying in is really nice.
Each night, I come back to the room to the TV on {which has scared me both nights} and my bed turned down and decorated with this cute little gold-flecked chocolate gingerbread man.
I ate last night's this afternoon.
It was tasty.

Tentative plans for tomorrow include a trip to the BMOCA {Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art}, a big cup of coffee and a massage! {More on that later...}

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Bould(er)ly Going...

Isn't this a beautiful picture?
I spent most of the afternoon walking these streets...
window shopping, stuffing my hands deeper in to my coat pockets
in hopes of a little warmth.
{No joke, at one point today, I experienced the difficulty of
forming words with a frozen face.}I'm here in Boulder, visiting my dad who moved here about a month ago.

Most of his time has been spent putting together his new home, so he has yet to fully explore all that Boulder has to offer...that's where I come in {and my brother next week}.

We walked through most of downtown today, after a really tasty Mexican food lunch. Later, we had some soup, watched Julie and Julia, and finished off the night by standing in front of an open refrigerator eating hummus, turkey and pita bread.
{You can't help but be hungry after watching a movie about chefs!}

I'm back in my beautiful hotel room: laying in a huge bed, having just taken a bath while listening to Ray LaMontagne, and now I plan to play a quick game and go to sleep...

Ready for day number two!

*P.S. I did not take this picture, though I wish I could take credit for it...
I really was there today, it was just too cold to get a camera out

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmases: Eve Eve, Eve and Day

My parents are both first-born in big families. As a child, that meant two or three days of giant Christmas celebrations: cousins, second cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents; homes stuffed with people who were stuffed with food and proceeded to give gifts to everyone {not just those under 18} for hours.

Over the years, these families have gradually become more spread out, leaving the parties smaller and less-chaotic. Financial situations have caused the gifts to become cheaper and, arguably, less thoughtful {as people become more concerned with the amount spent than the actual recipient's enjoyment of or need for that gift.}

This year, the celebrations were down to three. {Well, outside of the three with the Mariners' staff.}

On Wednesday night, after the first Christmas service, I met my mom for dinner with my Aunt Tiffany and her four kids: Kori, Chantel, Shane and Collette. This has been a Christmastime tradition for at least the last seven years.
After dinner they went to the movies. When they came out of the theater, Tiffany's boyfriend was there with a big sign, a bouquet of roses and a diamond ring. She, of course, said yes and the crowd of movie-goers cheered for the couple.On Christmas Eve, my mom and I went to lunch and the to Christmas service at Mariners. Then headed to Bum and Papa's for the Christmas Extravaganza.

It was the first time in a long time that Sarah, Tony and their kids were here to celebrate with us. It really made Christmas more fun to have this little kid running around and yelling "Dada! Want to play with with me!?"
Elijah
My aunt Gina
My brother Zac
My cousin Logan
My aunts Sarah and Gina
My cousin Sunny
Christmas Morning was spent with having breakfast with my Grandma and Grandpa and my brother. We ate and talked and laughed...

Then I drove down to my Aunt Gina's to hang out with her and my cousins for the day. We played Farkle, Left Right Center, and Battle of the Sexes. What a fun surprise when Bum and Papa showed up and played Battle of the Sexes with us! French Toast and bacon for dinner...and some chocolate milk. We watched Elf {and all fell asleep for a bit} and then Home Alone.

I came home last night and took the lights and ornaments off of the tree while watching When Harry Met Sally {a movie with both Christmas and New Year's scenes}. The house is now officially de-Christmas-ed and I take off for Colorado in the morning!

Hoping to take pictures and share CO stories as this week goes on...