2006

We're back! We got in late yesterday and spent most of today trying to get settled in again. Amazingly, we came back to no snow. The snow world we left behind no longer exists and instead has been replaced by rain. Neither of us were too disappointed, however, as the lack of snow allowed us to run errands today.
We had a fabulous time on our Italian vacation. All the places we visited were gorgeous, but I think both of us loved Vernazza the best. Cinque Terre was my favorite on my 1997 adventure and it still holds up to the test of time. It was a great way to spend Christmas, although it would have been even better if our families could have been there. Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas without family and friends - no matter where you are. The dark picture that just has a few lights is from Christmas Eve. That's when they brought the baby Jesus across the water. I have several pictures of the event, but none of them quite capture the moment. I'll let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves.
There are only four of us on campus right now ... Pete, me, Lara (one of the teachers we work with), and Deana ( the directors wife - she works at another school and had to be back this week. Our director is still in the states visiting friends). It feels pretty empty around here, but it's nice to have the house to ourselves for a change and get all set for school to start again. We plan on just relaxing, maybe going to a movie, and, heaven forbid, maybe getting ahead of the game at school. Now that Christmas is over it kind of feels like there is a long road ahead. I am really looking forward to my parents visit in April - I can't wait, really. In the in between time, Pete and I get to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. It's hard to believe it's almost been a year since the wedding. Time flies ... and we packed a lot into the last year :) We talked about it on New Year's Eve: We brought in 2005 at a wedding NYC, we got married in February (as well as accepted a job in Bulgaria and went to Victoria for our honeymoon), we went to Cabo in April, Vegas in May with Lur, June we moved to Portland, July we went to Klamath Falls and the Cannon Beach, August we moved to Bulgaria, September we climbed Mt. Olympus, October my sisters visited and we went horseback riding, November we went to Hungary, and December we went to Italy. Not a bad little year, really! Holy cow! I'm not sure we'll ever live up to that one again! So far our only plans in January are starting school and attempting to not get as warn out as we did in December :) I'm sure we'll pack a little bit of fun in every now and again. At any rate ... I'm off to bed. It's 2:10 am here and I'm not sure why I'm still up.
We love and miss you all - here's to 2006!