Bucaramanga for DI

This year my Destination Imagination group got to go to Bucaramanga for the Final Challenge. After landing, we took the kids up to one of the largest gorges in Colombia. But first we had to sugar up!



We took a gondola across the canyon ~ it was quite a ways up! Christina tried to capture the view back up!



Once on the other side, we enjoyed the view,


and the butterflies,


and some of us enjoyed the daredevil trampoline!!!


My lovely daughter and me ~


Just like last year, the DI festivities were a hit!



And our kids rocked their challenge!!!

My Birthday in Hot Country

For my birthday, the girls and I decided to head to Hot Country! We found a nice hotel near Giradot and we soaked up the sun (well, as much as we could that weekend!).



We had a guest for every breakfast ~




While we were away, Debbie decided to have a little work done. You know, Colombia is one of the best places to have oneself 'enhanced'.


Girlfriends!

Mi Barrio (to be added to later)

Wow ~ it's been a while since I have added anything to my blog!! It's been busy at school, a frenzy getting things organized for Dubai, and I didn't travel much the beginning of this year. And then, quite simply, I just got out of the habit!

So, first, here are some shots around mi barrio at the beginning of 2010. My new favorite place for breakfast is Bagatelle. It's not far from the apartment and so I frequently walk down there on a Saturday or Sunday, book in hand, for a nice, long breakfast. (I'll have to get some photos of the inside this week to add!) The staff, like everyone here in Colombia, are very hospitable. Even the day I went in with my laptop to finish up report card comments, they made me feel welcome to stay as long as I needed, despite the people standing, waiting for a table. It is nice to be a 'regular'!



During the colder months, Bagatelle is a great place to meet friends for a little hot chocolate ~ with a lovely twist!






I walk to lots of places in my neighborhood: restaurants, the bookstore, down to septima to catch a bus. I feel so comfortable here. I like to stop and chat with the woman who works as the portero for a building down the street from mine; checking out the new arrangement of roses in the flower store window; greeting the guard on the corner (although the night one scares me sometimes by running up to me just to say 'buenas noches!!!' ~ this is Colombia, after all.... you don't run up to people at night!!!!); and most of all, I love that nino follows me down the street to the local tienda for a bite of sausage.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas time at Jennifer's! We all had a wonderful time talking and baking and cooking and just hanging out together. Even Matt got into the act, when he baked cookies for a friend get-together.




Of course, then we had to clean up! Jen runs a tight ship ~ even the cats were fair game!!!!



But all that baking and cleaning was exhausting. Everyone napped!



And it's a good thing too, because cooking Christmas dinner is dangerous work ~ as Christina found out while cracking the hazelnuts for the carrots!!!!



But her sacrifice was worth it: the prime rib turned out great!




And so we enjoyed a scrumptious, cozy dinner together amidst Christmas music and laughter.



Merry Christmas to all ~ May all your wishes come true <3

Happy Thanksgiving!

I spent all of last year here in Colombia, and enjoyed traveling and seeing the sights. But this year, I am going home for the holidays!

First, I played tag at the airport with Debbie's family. They were so excited to be with mom and on an adventure!



I am always amazed at the beauty of the Northwest. Being out of the country, as wonderful as that is, makes you appreciate what you have back home.




Once home, the girls and I couldn't wait to get started on our Thanksgiving dishes. We had a whole list of things to make for our get together with Matt's family, including muffins, cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake! But as we started working, I noticed something.....


Huh. Seems there is a generation gap, even in the kitchen. Notice that both girls are using their laptops rather than cookbooks?


Eventually, I just took to watching!


I mean, I did help just a bit ~


All in all, the three of us whipped up some yummy treats.


And it wasn't just the company of my girls I enjoyed; I loved being with Jen's kittens too.

Max spent a lot of time on the prowl (behind a sliding glass door...) for squirrels:


Not to be out done, Luna was on the alert as well:


Most of their time, though, was spent on Naptime!!!



I sure love those two silly cats, but as much as they tolerate me (Luna more than Max), they love their mommy best!

Happy Birthday, Tim!

Tim and Diane, from Camas, are here in Bogota and enjoying life! Diane threw a lovely birthday party for Tim where we all danced to our hearts content, ate hearty Colombian fair, and enjoyed a yummy cake!!



Here are Debbie, Tim, and Jill:



And Debbie, Tim, and me:

Diana Doolittle

What a surprise when Diana showed me the baby hummingbird she found ~