And so it begins.

Well, our journey commenced. Yesterday Aylin graciously swept us off to the airport. She pulled away from the curb with a wave and small chuckle at Tyson and I and our ridiculousness that was our bags + box containing a bike. Pack on back. Pack on front. Hand-held bag and a purse to boot.

I can't really say it was sad to leave Seattle. I don't really think I had the time or the brain capacity to process being sad. With a flurry of packing and planning and traveling to MN for the holidays there just wasn't anything I could do except point the ship in the direction of the airport and get on the plane. Reflection saved for later I suppose.

We flew to LA.
Then to Sydney, Aus.
Then to Queenstown, NZ.

Here is the coast off of Sydney.

Here is our view as we came through the cloud layer and over Queenstown. Even on a cloudy day its pretty stunning.



Feet on the ground.


So yeah. It hasn't quite set in. Not sure when it will. Still feels a bit like vacation and a visit. So much to figure out i.e. jobs, phones, bikes, a nail file, possibly a basket to keep my unmentionables in the closet. But yesterday couldn't have been a more perfect start. We landed and Caitlin and Loren picked us up from the airport in their real cool truck. Lovely to have a familiar face greet us. They showed us to our room and literally there were chocolates on the night stand, a journal (with pen) in the drawer and towels and soap folded on the bed. Caitlin never fails to think of every detail. Then it was a quick shower and off to town for a celebratory beer. Some of their friends joined us and as I looked around the table I couldn't believe that yesterday I was in Seattle hugging and wishing my friends well, and boom! -now I was sitting in a new world with new friends. Just like that. And three days even before that, I was in MN with friends and loved ones sitting around a table. Crazy how my world has spun in the last week or so. Anyway, I digress. After beers we zipped back to the house for dinner.


Anyone who has had a dinner prepared by Caitlin knows she's crazy great in the kitchen. Did I mention there were chocolates on the nighstand!? This girl is a sight. Our first meal in NZ = Lamb burgers, tabbouleh, falafel, and salad with sun dried tomatoes. We drank, ate, and were merry.

We're here! Stay tuned.

Random MN.

Burning the old. Ringing in the new.

We spent NYE with Tyson's college friends, Dave and Jen. A lovely couple and we always have such a good time together. There's nothing like ringing in the New Year saddled up to the Country Bar in Minneapolis for several hours and then walking around in below zero temperatures. Needless to say, we decided it would be jolly fun to swap jackets and hats. Hm.


My parents have a tradition of hosting a New Year's Day party at their farm. Said gathering has always boasted a massive bonfire that's grown year after year.

The local greenhouse graciously donates any not-purchased Christmas trees of which become fire fuel, as well as people tend to show up with heaps of things they're ready to rid themselves of and start the year off fresh. Burn it all!
My mom makes a vat of chili and if there is snow on the ground there are always snowmobiles ready to whisk someone off for a ride. Its a pretty great tradition really, and this year was no different. It was, however, five degrees below zero which is a crime if you ask me.

Happy New Year!
Resolutions for 2010 include:
Floss more.
Work out (of course).
Cook tons!
Get my bike ready for touring and subsequently, take a touring trip.
Get to Banff.
Start a new career - or well, do something different professionally.

Mama turns 60!

My dear mother crossed the threshold into her 6th decade on December 30. We celebrated with a trip to the mall so my papa could buy her a sweater, and then the family ducked into a local pub for bingo night and beers. Townie Style. It really was a perfect way to ring in her birthday - especially considering that out of eleven bingo games called, our family won seven games of the lot. I won $43! Bingo!


I do love my mama, and I was beaming to hear her talk about how happy she is about turning 60. She's in great health, loves her grandchildren, enjoys her work, and she and Pop have many adventures ahead of them. Happy day, Mom! Love you.

Holiday in MN.

Finally a moment to reflect and post about our trip to MN for the holidays.

Christmas was great! We landed in Minneapolis to a welcome train of inches and inches of snow. A white Christmas is truly underrated. Having Grandma P live so close to the airport, we decided to crash with her on the eve and listen to various college choirs sing carols while we waited for the famous cinnamon rolls to rise.


Christmas day and tons and tons of snow! So much that papa had to plow the drive with his giant man machine and the "kids" had to build a snowman.


It was great having everyone together though, and Christmas is just totally different with all the kids around. Crazier. And with a little more "Christmas magic". My mom surprised all the kids with foam dart guns and immediately a dart war ensued. Those guns were worth every penny as the dart wars went on whizzing around for hours throughout our whole visit in MN.

And Jora and her new fiance Adam popped by to say hello! I'm so happy for them and pumped to see them tie the knot next year on NYE!

holiday posts coming.

In the meantime, I wish I was wearing this outfit. Adorable.

As I head into the crazy that is the holidays, I am feeling a smidge overwhelmed and anxious. Attached are a few images in an attempt to chill the EFF out.