Back Home Southern Cone Style - Uruguay and Argentina

FEB 6 - And so the Adventure Begins
The last time we were in the Southern Cone, it was 2002. Too many years have gone by, with wishes to return popping up almost every day. And still, only now, have we made it happen. We have two short weeks to breath in our second home, our family, our other country and maybe, hopefully, discover something new along the way.

FEB 7 -Buenos Aires, Buenos Vidas
After a long flight of 14+ hours we finally arrived in Buenos Aires at 8AM local time just to be exhausted. We fought through the pain, and although we were tired we walked down to Puerto Madero for some great Rodizio and wine. It was a struggle to make it back to our hotel, where we both longed for a bed and some rest. After a nap, it was back to Puerto Madero to walk around the port, take in the sites and smells of Buenos Aires and finish with a pizza dinner. The city was quiet with practically no locals. They were all out in the country or beach side to escape the city heat, while we tourists took over the city. One little find was political stencil graffiti all over the city. I couldn't get enough of it!

FEB 8 - Tourists in La Boca
We got up for breakfast, and decided to take a walk to Florida Street - a big tourist shopping area, and the Mall there. We walked through an Art Exhibit, had lunch in the famous Tortino's Cafe - which, of course, was filled with tourists, and then grabbed the bus to the tour - which took over 4 hours. The tour briefly mentioned the Disappeared and alluded to some spots where people were kept prisoner but it was a short mention. The tour focused on the soccer stadium and La Boca, the colorful poor section of town, once fulled with immigrants, now another tourist destination. Every corner of the city was filled with tourists from Australia or Europe. We went out at midnight to try to find some Portenos, and sure enough, there they were, drinking their mate and just hanging out enjoying the warm evening under the full moon light.

FEB 9 -Leaving B.A. for Montevideo
We got up early, grabbed the BuqueBus for a 3 hour ferry at dawn , across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Crashed out after time caught up with us, at our Pocitos hotel, a block from the beach, had our usual while in Uruguay lunch - milanesa al pan - as we took shelter from the heat, followed by a nap and a reunion dinner with Tia Pocha, Tania and Hector.

FEB 10 -Hopping in a Car for RoadTrip Our Way
We left Pocitos for the airport in Montevideo, got a car and drove up the Uruguay coast. We took a beach walk in Costa Azul, made a quick stop in Guazuvira to see if the black and white sand was still there, picked up two lady hitchhikers, lunched in our old stomping grounds in Piriapolis, made a quick stop in Punta Ballena, drove through Punta del Este, made another quick stop in La Barra and Jose Ignacio looking for a place to stay for the night, but found nothing. We continued our drive up Ruta 10, where the road stopped at a river. We took a free ferry across the water - the ferry being a small wood barge powered by a little fishing boat running along the side of it - continued on Ruta 10 which had turned into a dirt road - even though our car was not off road compatible - but who cares! Drove and drove and drove - the only car on the road, through Rocha, and started searching desperately for a place to stay as the sun was setting. Finally, success in La Paloma - further north than expected. We had a pretty bad dinner of gristle and bones, but wine and cookies on the balcony at the Inn while watching the rain storm made the evening a good one.

FEB 11 -Beachy King in La Paloma
After watching the sun rise over the countryside from our balcony, we had breakfast and reserved a cabana in Punta del Diablo while we were in La Paloma, a pretty populated little beach town. We tried to get money from the ATM but access to banks are very confusing for us 24X7 ATM users. We bypassed the cash and instead went exploring, where we found a white horse grazing in a field near the light house, as storm clouds filled the sky while the wind blew a summer storm our way.
We stopped along the beach, checking out the surf spots and then started north. We made our way up to Aguas Dulce, where we had camped out back in 2002 - and although it is still a dirt road beach town, there has been significant development. We ate lunch, watching the locals watch us, took a trip down memory lane before heading up to Punta del Diablo. We checked out our cabana in Punta del Diablo but had to go back to Rocha, about 24K each way, to find a bank that was open because, lesson learned, everyone renting rooms or cabanas only takes cash (no one takes credit cards in this country?). But it was worth it because by the time we returned everything was filled up, with no where left to stay. We explored the tiny beach town, filled with young, hippy style visitors from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, drinking mate and smoking and enjoying the sun. The vibe was so chill and young.

FEB 12 -A Rising Summer Sun and Moon
I woke up early to catch the sun rise in the east. April joined me before the sun could peak over the horizon. The beach came alive with the garbage man and his horse and cart, beach bums waking up in the sand a few yards from me, all enjoying the peace of the morning as the sun's rays rose above the horizon. More than any other time in my life, this was the place that I found where living in the moment was the easiest, without worry or anticipation. I couldn't get enough of meditation - everything was all so easy.
I spent my morning reading on the beach, soaking up the sun and the spirit of freedom in youth that surrounded me. In the late afternoon we took a jaunt up to Santa Theresa. It was one of our favorite camping spots from our previous visit, and we discovered a few new places, including a beautiful old green house, that were there before, but we had missed because we didn't have a car. We took a walk through the petting farm and hung out with a large beaver like rodent, happened upon a large lizard, took in some monkeys, birds, goats and sheep. We went up to the Fort for lunch while soccer played in the background, and watched some surfers catch some waves. We had a lovely steak (of course) dinner, and I spent the rest of the evening on the patio taking pics of the rising moon in the east.

FEB 13 -Seeing the Light in Cabo Palonia
We started the day in Punta del Diablo, taking a jaunt out to the point to see another monument of Artigas, where we found fisherman and beach bums camped out, prolonging our departure as long as possible. But finally we were on our way, headed south, traveling down the coast, hoping to see every beach town possible.
We discovered tiny La Esmerelda, and took a walk on the super quiet beach. We picked up a hitch-hiker from Argentina on our way into Barra del Valizas - another tiny beach town with soccer games and red chairs and mate drinkers littering the beach sporadically. We took a jeep into Cabo Palonia because no outside cars are aloud in the sand dunes or beach town. We had lunch, took a walk to the lighthouse, and took in the seal colony before returning to the road. Back on Ruta 9 we drove through San Carlos, where we took a dip in the ocean. We were in San Carlos with Tia and Pablo during our 1998 visit, and the town was transformed from dirt roads to a fully developed beach town.
From there we headed straight into Punta del Este, where we had an early dinner, by local standards anyway - it was 10PM, followed by the Carnival parade and drums well into the early morning hours.

FEB 14 -Sunrises over the Hand in the Sand all the way to Suarez - Punta del Este - Suarez
We woke up early, thanks to April, and got to the Hand in the Sand in time to watch the sun rise. With the sun came the end of a trip of our own and marked the beginning of the family reunion tour. We got packed up and after breakfast, headed off toward Suarez, through the country side of rolling hills.
Heading to my cousin Sandra's house we only had a mile marker with the instructions to ask for the house of furniture. That didn't quite work out, but after a few phone calls and some luck we were happily reunited with Sandra, Juan, a very handsome Rodrigo & a beautify Sabrina. Sandra welcomed us into her home with big hugs and kisses, her amazing cooking, mate and of course cerveza. If only I spoke better Spanish!

FEB 15 -Asado in Suarez - Suarez
There is nothing better than asado at Santa and Toto's. We spent the late morning and afternoon reuniting with the rest of the Joffre family, eating meat, swatting flies, catching up. Alejandro, Daniella, Diana and Camila were all there as well. Everyone has grown up and in some cases grown old. Santa's health is failing and Toto seams lost without her.
Lunch at Santa & Toto's is all about catch up, love, news, mate, eating and happy to be back together again. In the evening we returned to Sandra's where Sabrina hosted the mate and we shared music with Rodrigo and Sabrina, while Sandra talked shop with Daniella.

FEB 16 -Last Day in Suarez - Suarez - Montevideo
Juan took us to the airport to buy our plane tickets to Rosario, dragging Rodrigo along because Sandra was worried we would get lost, even though we had driven all over the country without problems. We spent the afternoon playing Uno with Sabrina & Rodrigo. Leaving is so hard when we don't know when we'll be returning but finally we said our sad goodbyes. We stopped to say one last goodbye to Santa and Toto and then made our way into Montevideo.
Of course we got lost getting into the city due to insufficient maps and directions we barely understood. Looking back, we should have just stayed in Suarez for the night. Luckily we found our way to our crap hotel instead. I had a tantrum, but felt better after taking a trip downtown, site seeing, shopping, and finding our favorite restaurant, still open all these years later, where we had a fabulous dinner. We got reprimanded by our taxi driver for taking pictures of some kids hanging of lamp posts because he didn't want us to get beat up. :) Like that would happen. Everyone is always warning us to be careful while we are here, even strangers. Everything is always "Muy Peligrosa, chicas!"

FEB 17 -Lost in La Recoletta - Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rosario
Not the best day of the trip, and probably the worst day. My camera broke - and this is about the time I discovered - everything comes out over exposed. Night shots were all I could take from this point on.
Also, we spent money on a flight to Rosario so we could get there quickly, only to be delayed, finding it would have taken us less time and less money if we had taken the 3 hour BuqueBus followed by a 4 hour bus trip to Rosario. We also discovered there is a direct flight from Punta del Este to Rosario on certain days of the week. Live and Learn!
We left Montevideo late, and our flight from BA to Rosario was canceled, negating the entire reason we flew. We decided to get out of the airport and take a trip to the Recoleta, to see where Eva Peron is buried. But it was too hot and I was too irritated to continue after discovering my broken camera. It was just too touristy to be worth it when my mood is so dark. At this point, I'm sure April would have thrown me in front of a cab, but it was just too hot to be worth the effort.
Finally we were on our way, in our little tin can plane, that had no air conditioner. We were laughing so hard with heat delirium while sitting in that plane roasting alive. If only we could have cracked the windows.
We finally made it into Rosario in the late afternoon, where Lorena picked us up and we all burst into tears we were so happy to see eachother. We met her Alejandro and her son Thiago, got changed and rested at their beautiful home. We headed to Marisabel & Pablo's house, the first we've seen them together, to find everyone there, with all their new kids and new boyfriends and new spouses. If only my Spanish was better! How do you catch up with 7 years of history and changes when you have to ask everyone "mas despacio, por favor"?

FEB 18 -All in the family - Rosario
We relaxed after a lovely breakfast at a restaurant off the river in Rosario. We spent time just catching up, finding our fathers have made similar decisions in their lives, and our feelings for them are the same. Our reunion is happy with a tinge of sadness. Our constant separation influences all of our conversations and I just want to put Lorena in my pocket and take her with me.
Alejandro is super sweet, taking us where ever we want to go. We meet up with the girls for "drinks" downtown, where April & I were the only ones to order cocktails. We walk the streets and find Rosario a prettier city than the last time we visited. We end the evening with a trip to the Italian Ice cream parlor.

Feb 19 -Joffre Family Time
We spent the day continuing our catch up, escaping the heat by taking a dip in the wading pool on the roof of Lorena's house. We went to the mall and let Alejandro pick out his soccer team shirt for Damon. He's very impressed with the car Damon drives. In fact, initially Alejandro expressed he had no interest in visiting us in the US. After discovering Damon drives his dream car, he's reconsidering that position.
We tried to get mani/pedi's but ended up with just manis. We make our way to Tia & Tio's house for dinner. We meet Iliana's too-cool-for-school boyfriend, catch up with Rocio and Debora and fall in love with Josephina and Joaquin all over again. Pablo and Marisabel are so in love and can't help but make goo goo eyes at eachother constantly.

Feb 20 - Loving La Familia
Our last day in Rosario was busy. We ran around getting our bus tickets, had a lovely lunch with Alejandro's Family - some of the best steak & chimi churi ever! Witness a crazy rain and hail storm.
We take a trip around Rosario to say goodbye to Rocio, Tio & Tia, followed by a quick trip to say goodbye to Pablo and Marisabel. My Macho Man is a family man now. At the end of the day we took photos of Lorena and Alejendro in their team shirts. Alejandro let Lorena dress him up in drag so we could take photos. He's a handsome man but not a pretty woman.
Finally we hop a bus back to Buenos Aires, where we found our hotel had canceled our room. We should have just stayed in Rosario!

Feb 21 - Flying Home

We spent the morning on Florida Street looking for little gifts, where, of course, at the end of the trip, I fall due to some loose cobble stone tiles (that's my story anyway). If my camera wasn't broken before, it certainly was then. We took a short plane to Santiago, with plans to dine in the city. Unfortunately the tax to leave the airport when you have a connecting flight to the US was just too steep - $300 for a couple hours - just to leave! We filled our six hours with beer and reading. Finally we got on the plane home wondering when we can return again.

25 Random Things...

So, On Facebook there is this thing going around - 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. Here's my list of 25.

1) I love road trips. I always feel like I'm me in an alternate universe, where my real life has melted away, and I have nothing to think about but what's around the next turn.

2) Really, I love any and all kinds of travel. I am currently planning to take a year off to go around the world. I'm not sure when that year will be, and I'm afraid if I don't do it in the next few years, I'll never do it.

3) I was in a small plane crash, my dad was piloting, with my parents, my twin sister, my brother and my aunt. We all survived. You have a greater chance of winning the lotto than surviving a small plane crash...so I guess I won't be winning the lotto.

4) I love animals but I'm in love with boxers. I hope to have boxers for the rest of my life.

5) I hardly ever cry. Except while watching sad movies, commercials and reading books. I couldn't stop crying while reading the Time Traveler's Wife. Right?

6) I've been a feminist my entire life. When I was little I thought it was unfair that only boys got to pass the sacrament. I thought it was unfair that all the pictures of missionaries, that were held up in primary while we sang "I hope they call me on a mission" were boys. I thought it was unfair my brother got to be outside to mow the lawn while I had to be inside to wash the dishes. That being said, I had a huge crush on a neighbor that was a polygamist, and thought that one day I would marry him.

7) I'm all about fairness. My mom used to tell me Life's not Fair. Hearing that still gets me irritated - I don't care if it's true.

8) My three favorite things to talk about are three things you never speak about in polite company: Religion, Politics and Sex. That is why I love Anthropology. Its a free pass.

9) I don't believe honesty is always the best policy. Sometimes honesty isn't necessary. I would never tell a friend that I dislike their +1/kids. This is just an example - I like everyone's +1 & kids.

10) The first time I truly understood I have brown skin was during my 15th Birthday Pool Party, when I wore a white swimsuit and discovered, even though the swimsuit had lining, once it was wet all my bits were going to show. All of my girlfriends wearing white swimsuits didn't have this problem. I learned this lesson the hard way.

11) Unfortunately, flashing the entire pool at my 15th Birthday Party, is no-where near my most embarrassing moment.

12) I LOVE Lake Powell. It is one of my favorite places in the world and most of the really great memories I have about my extended family, take place on a couple of houseboats on Lake Powell.

13) I hardly ever get mad enough to yell. I usually shut down or throw a little tantrum. When I do get mad enough to yell, watch out. When April and I, or Richard and I are fighting, run for cover!

14) When I have an argument, I never call names, as it undermines the entire argument, signals the fact that an argument could not be made on the merits, thus losing the argument. I find it really unappealing when other people resort to name calling - in any argument - not just those I'm involved in. Especially because "how low can you go" isn't an argument I care to win.

15) If I could have any job in the world it would be writing and shooting photos for National Geographic.

16) My parents didn't believe in TV when I was growing up. We didn't have a TV until I was 12. As a result I LOVE TV! I LOVE my DVR even more.

17) I love reading. I read every night. I will stay up all night reading a really good book. Because I'm such a fast reader, I do end up forgetting the finer details, and some major plot points a few weeks, and sometime a few days after reading a book. I have been half way through a book before I realized I've already read it.

18) In August 2007 I started taking a picture of myself everyday, thanks to Flickr's 365 Group. After a year and a 1/2, I took a bit of a break but I'm back on the photo a day wagon, and I think I'll do this for the rest of my life. (You should too! http://www.flickr.com/groups/365days/)

19) I moved to NY to be a nanny so I could get away from my family, when I was 19. It was that or teach English in China. It never occurred to me I'd be taking care of actual kids until I met them at Laguardia. It was one of the best decisions I ever made and one of the best experiences.

20) One time a group of friends and I went up to Palmyra in upstate New York. I went because I wanted to see Niagara Falls. They went because there is a Mormon Pageant there. We got a place right in the front row so we could lay down and watch the entire pageant comfortably. I ended up falling asleep and was shaken awake by a friend who said "Wake Up, Sandy! Jesus Is Here!" I thought she meant the real Jesus Christ not the actor PLAYING Jesus Christ. I freaked out and told her "But I'm NOT ready to meet Jesus!" I'm still not ready.

21) When I was younger, Tina and I celebrated two birthdays at girls camp. Both times my dad flew the plane over the camp and bombed us with bags of candy, keeping us flush for our candy gambling habit!

22) I am constantly being told that I have said something heavily laden with sexual innuendo - and I don't even know it. Sometimes I'll finish saying something and I'll look around and see everyone staring, eyes dilated, and I'll know I've said something wildly inappropriate - but even after review I rarely get it. I don't like to ask anyone to explain.

23) I totally speak with a Valley accent like All the time. I've tried to eliminate the word "Like" from my vocabulary and it's like, totally impossible. When I speak Spanish I also speak in a total valley accent.

24) I'm really close to all my siblings. We've been through a lot together. When we all get together it is pandemonium. Most of the time we are laughing so hard we are crying.

25) 2008 was the worst year of my life. Even though I knew everything is about the attitude you have, I couldn't help it. Knowing and Feeling aren't always in sync. Looking back, I think if 2008 was the worst, I've had a pretty great life. And 2009 is shaping up to be the best year yet. I just KNOW and FEEL it!

1000 Miles in a Day

Yesterday was the craziest day of 2009 so far. We are leaving next week for two weeks in the southern cone, and that means finding an appropriate and loving dog sitter for our precious Beanie and Bruno. We don't like to disrupt their lives too much - they are rescues and do have anxiety when we leave for days at a time. They LOVE UTAH and family there, so what better place than a winter wonderland vacation for them too? Mom was nice enough to say yes when we asked. And they will be there for three weeks!

We drove to St. George, UT from Santa Monica, to meet Tina & Dad. We got to St. George in 5 1/2 hours. We had a lovely lunch in town, and ran to the Costco for an all white shopping experience, for dog food, and left Bruno and Beanie in Tina's car, with the feeling of a job well done.

Until Dad called for a chat, oh, and to tell us he had my car keys. So we had to return to Utah, meeting back up in Toquerville, UT a couple hours after our initial departure, to get my keys that had left in the opposite direction.

And seriously - it was really funny once we got over the anger and accepted it - and on the hour drive back to reunite with my keys, we thought of all sorts of funny scenarios, so that by the time we rolled up on Dad & Tina, we were laughing hysterically!

Tina was pretty angry - she looked like a bear, an angry bear, a very angry bear, with her arms folded and a deep scowl on her face. And dad was standing in the clear, keeping clear of Tina for sure, with a look of worry and warning on his face! That image will be seared in my brain forever, and just made me laugh all the harder.

Our favorite scenario we thought up on our hour drive back, was a drive by key passing, where we just rolled by each other really slowly, gangsta rap on the radio, and the keys were tossed into my car and we speed away. So coming down off that exit ramp, we had rolled down all the windows and we were yelling "Throw the Keys! Drive By Key Passing!" Of course Tina is so smart and went from Angry Bear to joke participator in seconds, running to meet the car and throw the keys! I'm sure no one else gets it, but I'm writing it here so I won't forget.

Finally, we left Toquerville around 5PM, stopped at the outlets in Primm and made it to Ray & Zenida's - LOOK SO GOOD Party by 11PM. We had a lovely time feeling good, taking pics, drinking cocktails and being tired drunk - you know that kind of drunk from being tired, and finally made it back home by 2AM.

Traveling over 1OOO miles in a day, just to end up at the exact spot we started from - a testament to all you can do in 24 hours.

Party Like A Barack Star!

Today is a historic occasion!

Jenny, April and I wanted to take some time to mark the occasion with a celebration. A celebration many, even in this day and age, didn't think was possible.

40 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King and Malcom X, we stand here today, having elected the first African American man to the highest office in the land.

This election has also served to mark another shift in consciousness. It was a peaceful revolution - and it was a REVOLUTION and an INDICTMENT of the administration of the last 8 years

Today is the first day of Obama's presidency. But the work is not over it is just beginning - Yes, we have a new president but politics remain the same.

Unless we become actively involved , unless we hold our representatives accountable we will find ourselves in much the same place four years from now. Where governments act slowly individuals have the ability to bring about change quickly and the momentum and desire to do so are on our side.

This election shows one man can be the catalyst for a peaceful revolution, and the energy toward personal responsibility to make change happen - that comes from the energy President Obama created during this past election.

Best of luck to us all and to the 44th President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

1/2 way thru Jan

1/2 way through January and I couldn't be happier. This year promises to be a big one. January has been a lovely, warm month so far, with visit is with old friends and family and celebrations.

Everything Changes on New Years Day - I went to lunch with Karen and Laura, where I met Karen's darling dog, duke on New Years day. It was great catching up with my pro-women!



Mason turned one years old. Mom came into town to visit and celebrate his birthday. Ray & Zenida were also there, rounding out the birthday celebration.



We escaped from West LA with a road trip up the cost with the dogs. There was such a beautiful, warm, January day in LA we had to take a drive up the coast. So we put the dogs in the car and drove up PCH through Malibu, to soak up the rays, the ocean, the freedom.



Mom & I went and got a mani-pedi during lunch, and then decided to make our way to Santa Monica Pier to soak up the warmer weather, watch the waves, take photos, while the sunset. Elida came over for dinner and to make empenadas for the party.



Julia, April & I went to the Viper room to watch her friend's band play. They were on stage for 1/2 an hour. We followed up with coffee patio side, at Mel's diner on Sunset for 2 hours.



Mom, Elida & Mason stopped by for a Thai lunch, and to say goodbye, since Mom departs tonight. So of course, out comes the camera.



We're in full party planning mode - with a few days until the big event. Lastly, I booked our trip to Uruguay & Argentina, and I'm so excited I feel high.

Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2008
Honestly 2008 has been a crap year. There have been some big and happy changes - Mason was born in January, April Graduated in May, I went to Montreal a few times, random reunions, our annual road trip, the election to shape a century - and there were smaller fabulous things too.

But all of the good stuff was overshadowed by sadness and repair. I'm so happy to say goodbye to this depressing, sad, man hating, pessimistic, hermit, emotional year. So long 2008! Farewell 2008

April and I decided to say a proper goodbye to 2008 with the finger. And then we headed to a New Years Eve party at Chris's place in the Hills where we danced and hung out and toasted in 2009, and were home by 1:30! I am really getting old!

Hello 2009!!!

So 2009 is already off to a great start! And it can only get better, right? The Utes beat former #1 Alabama at the sugar bowl in an amazing, save on Tivo forever worthy, blowout and should be #1 as the only non-losing team in the country... Right? RIGHT! 2009 is already awesome!

So, after taking a couple months off, I've decided to return to my 365 Days of Sandy - because I'm that self absorbed! LOL! And I'll be doing a random picture a day as well - which should stretch my photog boundaries a bit more.

So I'm busy planning the next couple months of my life. January 20th we are hosting an inauguration party. We got an amazing space that used to be an old speakeasy during prohibition.And we're in the middle of planning our trip to Argentina and Uruguay in February for a couple of weeks, where we hope to see family, stay on an estancia, tango in Buenos Aires and hang out on the beach. I can hardly wait for that trip! Hola 2009!

Happy Christmas 2008

April and I spent the last few days trying to perfect the French Macaroon. It's a very difficult cookie to master and mine turned out way too chewy. But still tasty. We ended up getting a few from the Little Next Door Cafe, which is where we had a French Christmas Eve dinner.
Christmas Day we made our way to the Tweedy's in Playa del Rey for a traditional English Christmas dinner, with crackers and pudding and trifle. May is a fantastic cook. We had a great time talking politics and presents and dogs.

Unfortunately we came home to disaster. Bruno found a way into the kitchen and ate all the Macaroons, bread and two bags of Chocolate Chips that were left out on the counter. You may recall that last Christmas Eve Bruno had to eat charcoal and get his stomach pumped for similar misdeeds. He pooped charcoal pallets for days.
We got him to throw up and he was sick all night, and we were up all night to supervise, clean up after him, take him out for walks. He is a very bad, bad, boy. But we can't help but love him!

We didn't send out Christmas Cards this year to reduce environmental impact but we did take Christmas photos.

Hope Everyone had a Very Happy Christmas!

Back to Montreal

I didn't think about the implications of traveling the day after the Thanksgiving break, so there I was, during the craziest, busiest time of year to fly, on my way to Montreal. Long lines, waiting and of course, delayed flights, made the trip a 15 hour ordeal. And when I landed in Montreal it was cold, cold, cold...but no snow.
Working back in the office was nice. Being reunited with my department was also nice. Even if the week was hijacked by a new client. It could be worse.
I had drinks followed by dinner with Phil at the Place de Armes one evening. But the big event of the week was the company holiday party.
There was gift exchange, plenty of drinking, speeches, awards, dancing, drunkenness...everything you expect at a Christmas Party.

Before leaving on Saturday, I realized I had to get back to the office to retrieve my AC adapter for my laptop. Oops. On the walk over I came across this homeless man, with 4 dogs keeping him warm, as he slept at the foot of the church stairs, in the freezing cold. It broke my heart to see that this man who had nothing, was caring for these stray dogs, and they in turn, were taking care of him.
I left right before a snow storm hit. Flying back was a breeze and it was nice to be back in warm LA with my own spoiled dogs.

Climbing Clouds While Wine Tasting

Jenny, Christian, Adrienne, her friend, April & I all woke up early and drove our hineys up the coast to Santa Barbara to spend the day wine tasting in the back countries of Santa Barbara County.

We got a Jeep and Driver from Cloud Climbers and headed out to the vineyards to taste the newest selections in wine. We hit five vineyards, with a break for lunch, which was provided, squeezed in between.

The best stop was at Artiste Impressionist Winery and Tasting Room, where you can play chess, paint, taste. I could hang out there all day.

Celebrating in November

November is always a busy month and this November was no exception.

Election Day Celebration
Everyone who knows me knows I'm very political. Throughout the primary and general election process I haven't posted anything here, mostly because I haven't had time. But don't think the absent of content here is an indication of my un-involvement in the daily toos and fros of this very exciting, energizing, crazy campaign. Huff Post has been my constant companion for the last year.
We decided to make Obama Hope cupcakes to celebrate this historic election. I'm sure we have propped our president elect up on a pedestal unfairly, just to tear him down, also unfairly, and although Obama doesn't go far enough for me, there is so much ground to make up in the next couple years, I'm so excited the country has participated in this peaceful revolution and indicted the regime of the last eight years.
I went to Brian & Tracey's to celebrate and when the election was called at exactly 8PM PT I couldn't help but cry for joy - a stark difference from four years ago when I cried out of frustration! I couldn't contain my excitement and texts were sent en mass.
There wasn't all celebration. Proposition 8 passed and it is clear we still have work to do to ensure the rights of all Californians and Americans. Where one person's rights are not guaranteed, none of our rights can be guaranteed. This, along with the economy, war, social security, the shrinking middle class, health care means there is a lot on all our plates. Off my soap box now!

Finley's First Birthday
Finley had a first birthday party at the park with friends and family. I can't believe she's already a year old. I met a lady who is the wife of Christian's co-worker, who is from Paysandu, Uruguay, just a few kilometers from my mother's hometown of Salto. It's time to plan another trip down tho South America!

Chris & Laura Announce their Engagement
April called a happy hour. We haven't had one for a while and so we made our way back to the SF Saloon where Chris & Laura announced the good news! Tabitha had just returned from India and we got a wonderful update from her as well...can't wait to see the photos!

Bingo for Choice
April & I made our way to Hollywood to participate and play Bingo for Choice for Planned Parenthood. This was the first time I played Bingo and it was a riot! I can't wait to do it again! Of course we didn't win, but the evening was a big success. And we made our way to the Astro Burger, which I've missed oh so much.

Sarah Came to San Diego
Sarah had a Communications conference in San Diego, so I made the trip down in terrible Friday traffic and of course it was worth it. We went to a party where I met her colleagues, we spent time on the coast, in Old Town and at Balboa Park.

Thanksgiving 2008
It was Mason's first Thanksgiving! We had a lovely dinner prepared by everyone. We have a lot to be grateful for. Not even family drama can make us forget that.