time for 2009!

cheers all!

i hope you're christmas/hanukkah/festivus  were all as delightful as mine.  liz, sarah, and i conquered rome like pros (with a little overdrinking mishap...don't always do what the romans do.  my advice to you).  this christmas was humble and extravagant at the same time.  granted, we are in beautiful italy - how could we NOT be extravagant?!  but humbling, because i think we all really appreciate what we have.  we are pretty blessed to have been able to do this...and i know i'll look at these pictures when i'm 70 and remember my fabulous christmas in rome.  

i will not go without saying that you were all missed dearly - especially the fourthsome of our little quartet, who had to spend the holiday with her husband (WHATEVER.).  it was definitely incomplete without you here, SG.  though, after all of our reminiscing of holidays past, i realized that even though i was away from my family, i was with my "family".  people who probably know me better than i'd like to admit.  

i rang in the new year with david b. "cecile" smith - otherwise known as rachael's dad.  how is possible that i am halfway round the world spending my holiday with loved ones?!  i just can't get over it.  we had a absolute blast, and cecile and friends were way more gracious than they should have been.  when we were sick of "auld lang zyne", we burst out in "all you need is love" at the top of the spanish steps, and had an italian sing along.  that was probably one of the best moments of the whole holiday.  all we need is love.  and i am so grateful for all the love i have. as we welcome this new year - yeah 2009! - let's remember all the love we have in our lives.