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Gimmewald, Switzerland

The most beautiful and majestic place we've ever been.

Paris, France

By far Adri's most favorite city and monument.

Istanbul, Turkey

The most culture shock worthy and wonderfully diverse city we know.

Cairo, Egypt

Our craziest, most intense story to date.

30 November 2008

First Thanksgiving at home in 8 years!

I wanted to share a brief part of my Thanksgiving weekend with you.  I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in 8 years.  It just never worked out, and the last 2 years I haven't been home for that or for Christmas.  So, this year is quite the joyous occasion as I get to go home for both!  As a result I wanted to share some of my mini vacation with you.  First, because of commitments to work I wasn't able to leave for home until the day before--which is usually the way it is in the working world, so no big deal.  But, what I wasn't ready for was the traffic.  Normally my drive home is about 5 hours because of traffic in Chicago.  Not this time.  I drove 7 hours because of traffic in Chicago.  So, to give you an idea, see the picture below.
In the red circle on the bottom, that is total time in hours. Notice: 1 hr and 4 min.  In the red circle at top, that is total distance to destination, and then right below total travelled distance.  Notice: 10.32 miles.  Translation, it took me just over an hour to travel 10 miles from my house... ouch!  (side note: that max speed was not my driving, that was with someone else.)
On a brighter note, this is a photo of my neice, Megan.  It took her almost the whole time I was there to lighten up to me, and finally when she did she would whimper some when I wasn't around.  We'll see if she remembers me the next time I see her.  But isn't she cute?!

All in all the holiday time with my family was fantastic (outside of the drive out there).  It was great to see my parents, my sister and her daughter (her husband was away at training for his new job), and my dog.  There is so much to be grateful for in my life, and, even though I complain at times and wonder why things aren't going the way I would like them too--I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have grown in ways I never imagined, learned things that have changed my life, and been a part of things I never thought possible.  What a wonderful life it has been thus far, and I look forward to everything coming in the near and distant future!

14 November 2008

This is by no means all of the pictures that I took while on my trip to Costa Rica, but these are pictures that I think will give you an accurate idea of what I did and saw while on my trip. All in all, it was amazing and I hope to go back. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells were incredible. Definitely an experience I will never forget.

Also, the pictures are in no particular order, so I hope you enjoy them as they show up.


Some of the coolest sunsets I've seen

Jungle river hiking


You gotta love the monkies!

You can't go to Costa Rica without doing some surfing!


P.S. I touched this thing... 17 feet long, and what you see is only the head. According to National Geographic, he is the largest crocodile in Central America.


This was from some exploring on the beach among the rock formations.





You want an adrenaline rush? Trying riding zip lines at 30 mph hanging upside down 200 feet from the ground... call me crazy if you want!


Drinking from the local fruits.

12 November 2008

Tico-land photos and stories are coming...

I just got home from Costa Rica... and what a trip. I need to get my photos up. It wont be all of them because I took 200+, but I will get my favorites up for sure. So look for those in the next few days. Due to needing to catch up with work I can't do it right now. I will get it up though, promise. I just wanted to make the note that they are coming.