Birthday Month

Do you know what's better than having your birthday in December? Actually knowing people where I live when it's my birthday. First on the agenda: Good Eats and free food. Got a free shake for it being my birthday.

Then off to the National Christmas tree. Apparently school children decorated each individual state tree. This year Google helped coordinate all the trees so all the state trees looked the same which made it quite lackluster.

How do you spell Tennessee? (See the generic state tree?)

A real tree exists under there somewhere

The next day we capped off the night with A Muppet Christmas Carol because why not. Day two we traveled to Harper's Ferry for An Olde Tyme Christmas which I thought would be a mix of Charles Dickens + southern charm + Christmas. What it really turned out to be was Civil War 1864 "the city was under martial law" Christmas. Turned out to be pretty cool just the same.

Civil War Santa and me

Harper's Ferry

Then the next week my friend and I went to dinner at Qdoba (one of my favorite quick food places) and then to see A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre. I wasn't sure what to expect as I love Hale Center Theatre's version and I didn't want to be disappointed. Well, I wasn't. It was fantastic! I loved it! Plus the setting could not have been better.

The week after my birthday, I gathered at Arlington National Cemetery with a few of my closest friends and thousands of other people to place wreaths on the graves. What a spiritual experience as we were asked to read the name of each soldier before placing a wreath on his or her grave, one by one. This individual act reminded so much of the work we perform in the temple. Very moving!

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch together. While eating, another friend invited me to the Antietam Luminaries that night, leaving around 10pm. I had to teach a lesson the next day and already had a jam packed day so of course I said yes. Once again, my reckless care for my sleep and need to feed my adventurous spirt paid off. My birthday week was top notch!

Antietam Luminaries

Awe-inspiring

Finally, I was not going to go another Christmas without a tree. Craigslist to the rescue. I found a tree for $25 and it was the best money I spent. Merry Christmas!

Yes the tree topper is Mickey Mouse Santa hat

A friend and me at the White House right before Christmas

Month Long Celebration

Having just moved to the area, I didn't know what to expect of December. You see this is my favorite time of the year. My birthday. Christmas. Snow. Lights. Family. Though I hardly knew anyone, I loved December.

Events in December

#1 My birthday. My relief society president happened to call me that afternoon and discovered it was my birthday. She brought me to lunch and made a big deal about my birthday.

#2 Visited Antietam Battlefield for their annual luminary event. 22,000+ luminaries covered the battlefield and touched me in a way no other event had. Sobering. Absolutely sobering.

Volunteers placing and lighting the luminaries

The line at 4pm for a 6pm opening

#3 First visit to Canada. With my boss being located in Toronto, I expected this would become a regular occurrence. Little did I realize then how often I would make this trip.

#4 Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. I planned to be part of this event next year.

#5 Svir family. I love having friends nearby who welcome me into their home. I feel like part of the family.

#6 Christmas with family in Utah. Oh how grateful I am for a boss who let me work remotely so I could spend time with family.

The Journey Begins

April marked the time I aggressively began searching for a new job. My days at work consisted of periodic trips to my car for phone interviews with companies in Phoenix, the Bay Area, Charleston, Austin, Boston, New York, etc. Many of these did not result in a second interview because it wasn't the right fit for me: not enough experience, over-qualified, not a good cultural fit, me just not wanting to do that job. But I felt confident I was heading in the right direction and that I was making progress in figuring out what and where that path would lead. In the mean time, I still found time for some fun and family.

Last time I went running. Not a bad time.

First rock concert = success!

Home

My great aunt's funeral; my grandma was part of this trio

Love spending time with this guy

Challenge accepeted: 1st birthday cake

My Favorite Time of Year

December has always captured my attention and imagination. My mind and heart get caught up in the ambiance of the Christmas season, and it doesn't help that in my family we have five birthdays in one week. With my parents gone, I wasn't sure if this December would live up to the hype my mind places on the month, but my aunt, friends, and family maintained the joy that comes from Christmas.

First, my dear friend Erin married the man of her dreams. They had a traditional Indian/Mormon wedding (is there such a thing?) and it was so fun to see my normally strong-willed friend tear up during the ceremony. But she looks incredibly happy and I felt honored to spend the day celebrating the nuptials.

Next, my aunt offered to host a birthday celebration. Neither of my two sisters and their families could make it that night, so it turned out to be an extended family celebration. My aunt makes the most delicious food and has stepped in as a mom figure for me while my mom served in Mexico. I'm glad I got to spend my birthday with family. After Erin's wedding, my aunt and I also put up her Christmas tree. I thought that was one traditional I wouldn't get do this year, and I ended up decorating three trees: two while in California and then my aunt's tree. 

A few days later I had a second birthday celebration with my family. I love all my nieces and nephews. They definitely are my kids too!

Christmas Day was wonderful. Family. Food. Hangouts. Silliness. Pictures do speak a thousand words.

Bon Jovi tickets

My little buddy

Setting up their new computers

Hanging Out

My friend Jon came to town that week and I spent a lot of time with him. On New Year's Eve we joined my sister and her family on a Park City ski trip. I didn't realize how tiny Brighton was until I skied Park City. Wow! All in all, December lived up to my memories of being the best time of year.

Google Knows Everything...That I Tell It