Seattle Sunrise in 2009

I spent the first few weeks of 2009 flying to and from Los Angeles for work. I grudgingly booked early morning flights, but waking up early was well worth the breathtaking view. I'm thankful for airplane rides and the quiet, remarkable moments they provide. They force me to disconnect from the world, reconnect with myself, unwind and take pause on all the blessings in my life!

A Merry Holiday Month!

I knew I'd slack on this blog; but, in my humble defense, it's been a crazy month.

It all started with the SNOW, which I embraced giddily at first -- a happy reason to snuggle up at home and watch the white flurries blanket the sleepy city. But, the fun winter wonderland disappeared as soon as the snow froze and layered the roads with a slick sheet of ice, trapping me indefinitely inside my apartment.

To me, snow in Seattle is like taking a hot bath -- a soothing escape at first, but tiresome and boring after too long. Restlessness got the best of me, and I went stir-crazy being snowed in.

Luckily, I took refuge from the winter "deep freeze" at the hotel where Chris works. We camped out at the hotel for a good four days, and I actually really enjoyed my stay, even though I grumbled occassionally about going insane like Jack Nicholson in The Shining. I managed to get out a few times to take the Seattle Street Car downtown and even trekked on my own to Joey's for dinner.

[View from our hotel room]

For more pics of the Seattle "deep freeze," check out my Picasa album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lizfong/SeattleDeepFreeze

CHRISTMAS EVE IN TACOMA
For Christmas Eve, Chris and I went to his sister's house in Tacoma, where we celebrated the holiday with Chris's mom, sister, brother, and brother-in-law. It was fun spending time with his family, and I thoroughly enjoyed our two days in Tacoma. I especially liked staying in the room with the saw and single bed. Exciting!! :)

[Alicia and Mike as snowfolk. Note the pregnant one.]

[Chris and I cozied up in a single bed across an electric saw. Snug!]

CHRISTMAS IN HAWAII

On Christmas Day I took a flight to Hawaii. I tell people that I went home because the snow was driving me nuts, but really it was because I had just watched Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, and the silly film made me realize how easy and important it was for me to fly home, even if only for a few days.

[Our Christmas dinner at my Grandma's house.]

I stayed in Hawaii for a short few days, and spent most of my time with my family. Some of the highlights include:

• When the power went out island-wide, and my family played Connect Four by flashlight until bed time.
• Gnawing on chicken feet for the first time during dim sum with the fam.
• Doing a windward tour with my mom and brother, stopping off at Boots and Kimo's and the windy Pali.
• Running into Jamie at Costco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Meeting up with Aftin for dinner at Tanaka of Tokyo.

For all of my Christmas in Hawaii pics, check out my Picasa album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lizfong/ChristmasInHawaii


NEW YEAR'S EVE AT SNOQUALMIE
Upon returning from the warmth of Hawaii, I literally plunged back into the snow by learning how to snowboard. Chris and his brother-in-law Mike took me to Snoqualmie on New Year's Eve, where I tumbled off the ski lift, then tripped my way down the mountain with my arms flailing, while little kids whizzed past me, powdering me in their snowy dust. It was a great first day on the mountain. I think I'll get better once I overcome my fear of death by bunny hill.

Here's how I spent most of my day:





















But I did manage to get up once:

Thanks to Chris and Mike, my wonderful coaches, whose patience rivaled the most devoted nuns! ;)



After snowboarding, I got poshed up and took my achy-breaky bones to Amy's house for a night of celebration and jello shots. Despite a long day falling in the snow, I managed to last way past midnight. :0


Eager to improve, I tried my hand at snowboarding again on January 2. Chris was a phenomenal coach and kept trying to inspire me even after each fall deflated my pride and motivation. I ended up going down the bunny hill three times. The most trepidatious part was skating off the ski lift, which I've tumbled down each time, occasionally colliding with the unlucky person behind me.



For all of my snowboarding tumbles and faceplants, check out my Picasa album:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lizfong/SnowboardingOnNewYearSEve


Happy new year, everyone!