Christmas 2009

Family Time!

First stop, Memphis Tennessee for a couple of days at the new house. The night I arrived, Grandma and Grandpa Anstey drove in from Paris to spend a couple of days. It was really nice to see them and spend some uninterrupted time with them. It doesn't happen all that frequently anymore. As a tradition we always play board games after meals. I would say we are a little competitive as a bunch but the introduction of Bananagrams brought out grandpa's truly competitive side. I am holding firm that he was using his hearing as an excuse to not pick up tiles when someone yelled peel. But even with that advantage Grandma still used her scrabble skills and dominated almost all of the games.

After Grandma and Grandpa left, Dad and I wandered around, shopping and catching up while Mom attended some big shot board meetings and finished off a proposal that she was pushing the deadline on. One afternoon was spent driving around the lake and getting a good lay of the land. It would have been nicer from the pontoon boat but the weather was still a little chilly at 50 degrees.

Then off to Medina via car. Not the most ideal situation after sitting on a plane for many hours but I guess I should chock it up to quality time with the rents. Which it was and also quality time to finish off a couple of books.

The rest of the time was pretty typical. Days in Medina cooking and getting ready for the Christmas Eve festivities and then the Christmas day extravaganza at Aunt Sues. This year we added a little twist on Christmas Eve with a yankee swap. Thankfully, Aunt Sue is a genius and purchased gifts for Lizzie and Lauren so they could join in on the fun. I think they were the ones who made it the most interesting. They caught onto the concept very quickly, Lizzie had the first great steal from Brian, while Lauren contemplated keeping the money over the barbie doll in James' lap. He was a little nervous he was going to get stuck with a pink snuggie and barbies, but it all worked out in the end!

After a couple more days in Medina the reason for the extended visit took place. Katelin, James, Brian and I boarded a plane to New York City to celebrate Kate's 21st Birthday. Each of us took one evening and planned the events.

The first day was spent wandering around NYC to the Statue of Liberty and a little shopping

That evening, Katelin and I went out for a sushi dinner and to see The Phantom of the Opera!

After the play we jumped a cab and met up with Brian and his friends at a bar to finish off the evening.

The next day was spent wandering with Brian and James. Brian and James didn't have their shopping shoes on so Katelin and I had very successful shopping trips. I purchased a new coat and Kate found a pair of hot black boots.

Pushing to the limits, Kate and I got back to the hotel with about 45 minutes to spare before we were suppose to leave for dinner at a small Italian restaurant. Dinner was wonderful and one of the first times it was just the four of us. A very memorable experience and one I hope that we have in the future.

Then we met up with Cody and his friends at a bar before heading to Brian's portion of the birthday weekend..the Club. It was an experience is all I can say!

The Start of Winter

December 13

Celebrations are the theme of December and each year it is kicked off celebrating Carla's birthday. This one was a big one and we did it up right. A rather large group of us took off Grotto Bosco for a great meal before heading into Lugano to Underground to put on our dancing shoes.

Cheers

Happy Birthday Carla

ICS Basketball Tournament

Each year the day after Jen and I pick our varsity girls basketball team we head off on the road to Aiglon to play in our first basketball tournament. With this each year is a little surprise as to how we will perform, how the girls will hold up, and mainly how well they adapt to not having a single play against teams who are at the end of their seasons.

This year was great! During tryouts Jen and I kept saying to each other, these girls are really athletic. They really know how to move without the ball, this tournament could be a lot of fun. Then on a totally different note, we were really excited because it is our favorite tournament because of where we stay and how it kicks off our season on a very positive note.

We drove into the mountains on Friday night and stop at the base of a mountain. At this point we have to unload the bus of all of our bags and this year enough food to cook 3 meals. The place we stay is a rather large old home that consists of multiple floors of dorm style rooms, an attic where all of our girls were this year with rows of beds under the dormers, and a common area with a kitchen.

On Saturday morning, Jen and I wake up bright and early and make our breakfast. This year we got a little fancy and feasted on egg sandwiches. Then the girls start to stumble down stairs and we put them to work make a team breakfast of eggs and toast for 14. They really get into it taking different jobs of cracking eggs, making the toast, buttering the toast, cooking the eggs or dishwashers or driers. It is really amazing to watch a group of girls who have just been thrown together 24 hours before as a team and how they come together so quickly.

After breakfast and clean-up we got in a game of apples to apples which is a word association game. A very amusing interaction among the girls with the majority of them only understanding about half of the vocabulary and the jokes that were being made among some of our native English speakers.

Then comes the team picture out on the balcony of the hostel. A tradition Jen and I value and usually becomes our team picture for the year. This year the skies were not as blue but the beauty was still there.

Jen and I

The Team

Now off towards the ski resort and Aiglon college where the tournament is being held. We still don't know how it is going to turn out but we are hoping for the best. I must say it was rather successful. The girls played really well together, they listened to what we were teaching them on the fly and they talked a ton. The best teams weren't in attendance but it was a good warm-up for us. We ended up taking 3rd I believe.

After accepting our medals

High School Reunion

November 28, 2009

I took off for a long weekend in Michigan for Thanksgiving this year. My thinking was it may be the last time I am back in my home, I can hang out with my family a little bit and catch up, enjoy shopping, and with friends at my ten year reunion. Well, some of those things happened. I did have a very nice weekend, I enjoyed shopping on Black Friday, caught up with old friends, but unfortunately my parents moved to Memphis a couple weeks before I arrived.

However, the main highlight was the reunion at the community house.



One of the only pictures taken during the entire evening. So I guess you just have to believe me that I actually did catch up with other people as well.

My Name is Satisfaction!

Waffles, Beer and Chocolate...What more could I ask for?

Brussels
Tuesday October 27 - Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Fall break is a fantastic thing, and a much needed break. This year seven of us headed for a 5 day adventure in Belgium. First stop, Brussels for one night.

Our hotel, Les Ecinens was a short walk from the Grand Platz and cornered by 2 beautiful churches that could be seen from our balcony.

Outside our hotel

The 1st night we dropped off our luggage and went to the Grand Platz for our 1st Belgium beer at Rio de Espagna which boasts 1000's of beers available and use to be the home to a Spanish Royal family. I had a Peacherrese Lindermans, which was mighty tasty with a touch of sweetness.

The Grand Platz at night!

The Grande Platz

Buildings surrounding the Grande Platz

Merchants Homes converted into restaurants

The Whole Gang in the Grande Platz
Allie, Kaycee, Me, Allyson, Beth, Emily and Lizzie

Jumping attempt #1

Wednesday morning we met the girls again in the Grand Platz but this time for something much more important...A Belgium Waffle!!! On the menu there was a list 20 long of all the different toppings you could have. I opted for Hot Apple Cider and a waffle with strawberries and bananas with whipped cream. It was beautiful and mouth watering.

My 1st Belgium Waffle

Hot Apple Cider

Getting artistic from my breakfast table

A typical chocolate store in Brussels. The colors were overwhelming!

Then we were off to start the merging of the two walks I had found before leaving Lugano. The Classic with the Gourmet Trail, featuring all the major sights and all the chocolate and beer places that are a must see.

Fist stop was Neuhaus chocolates, supposedly the best chocolate anywhere. A couple of us broke down and purchased a couple of truffles to tide us over during the walk. I held out though for a later date. Then to the one of the 2 sights, The Mannequin Pis. The story behind this is that a king lost his son one day and when he found him he was peeing in a fountain. So he erected this statue for that memory, hundred's of years ago and now it has become a major sight and the statue is often gifted outfits to wear on the holidays. In fact there is a whole museum just displaying the various outfits.

Chocolate Stores leading up to the statue

The Mannequin Pis

Waffles!!! How could you not be tempted by this at every turn?

Of again on the walk past a couple more chocolate shops and taverns recommended to stop in. So we walked and walked and Allie got another waffle from a waffle truck and then we walked some more. Seeing many beautiful churches, gardens, the Royal Palace and C'ot Dor the Chocolatier to the royal court.

Inside C'ot Dor

One of many beautiful Cathedrals

Typical street of Brussels

With enough walking under our belts we turned back to the center with beer and lunch on our minds. Lizzie really wanted to go to the Delirium cafe because she loves the little pink elephants on the bottles and glasses. so we did but not before stopping at the Bier Temple! At the cafe I think the 7 of us were the only females in the whole place. I guess it was a little early for most.

Bier Temple

Delirium Cafe

After 1 beer we went back out in the sunlight to Cafe Leon to sample the mussels. A must when visiting Belgium.

With full bellies we were on our way again catching the train to Brugge, a beautiful city about 1 hour away known for its canals surrounding the city. At night it is beautiful with all the buildings lit up and the cobblestone streets filled with people wandering and exploring.

Streets of Brugge at Night

We went to dinner at an Argentinian place where i had a Brugse Zot a beer only brewed in Brugge.

Brugge
Thursday, October 29

Swinging on lampposts...why not?

Thursday morning we headed into the Markt to get our bearings before heading on our 1st walking tour led by Allie. On the tour, during one of our 1st stops we ran into the other girls who joined in on the fun.

A little house at a fork in the road that was a landmark for all of our wanderings

Starting at 't Zand a square with a fountain of various statues with seagulls on their heads and the concert hall to our left. Then we were off following Allie and her pink balloon down Steenstrat to the Chocolate Line, a famous chocolate store in Brugge.

Allie leading the way

Then to Notre Dam, City Hall, the smallest road, and finally the fish market, ending at the most photographed location.

The Cathedral attached to City Hall

The Most Photographed Location

The whole gang!

Our last stop before the brewery was Our Lady of the Potterie Church which was under construction. However, the history behind the crosses that surround the grounds was remarkable. During a war the churches were ordered to remove all the crosses from the steeples to disorient the jets flying over Brugge. These crosses had all been stored at the chapel but were never returned to their original locations and are now scattered throughout the gardens.

The Cross

The Courtyard of the Cathedral

Jumping Attempt #2

I just liked these buildings!

Glamor Shots

Glamour Shots on the Bridge

Just one of the many beautiful views of the canal

The Monestary

Beth and I getting our kiss on...

Now to the most important event, the much awaited Beer Tour, where the only officially Bruggean beer is brewed. It is also the only brewery within the city walls. We opted out of going on the tour because we were kind of done with walking and learning so we settled into the courtyard for some Brugse Zot blonde and brown and of course some people watching. Then back up again to the Chocolate Museum known as the Choco Story.

Allie, Allyson and I at the Brewery enjoying our Brugse Zot

Chocolate Beans

Chocolate Obama

The Belfry

We finished off the afternoon with a little shopping before heading to dinner at Carnibius a place with 400 beers on tap and entrees cooked with a variety of local brews. I sampled many beers deciding that I am a fan of the Tripel Kleimeit as well as the Nostrademus.

Tripel Kleimeit

Dinner was also fantastic consisting of scallops for a starter, duck as my entree, and for dessert carpaccio pineapple with coconut ice cream. A creation I hope to reproduce for a dinner soon.

Carpaccio Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream

Brugge to Antwerp
Friday, October 30

Day 2 in Brugge was very relaxing. Leisurely breakfast then a canal ride seeing all the architecture from another perspective. Brugge is a gorgeous city and with trees changing colors everything was just spectacular. I took so many pictures that Allie was placing bets of how many I owuld take on the 30 minute ride. Unfortunately, my battery died and I was cut short on capturing the beauty.

The Boat Dock

Buildings with a Canal Perspective

Catching the leaves changing colors

One last shot before my camera died!

The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping before boarding the train for Antwerp!

Well our hotel is a little different then those of the past. It is called either tourist hotel or Country hotel, I am not sure which and it is directly across from tehtrain station. The entrance way is nice but what threw us over the edge was the map that they gave us titled Gay Antwerp with all the local hot spots listed, but not asingle sight highlighted. It didn't really give us much guidance, so we wandered.

We wandered right into a corner bar and squeezed in next to 4 Americans who turned out ot be teachers at the International School in Antwerp and they wer every social. They introduced us to Jenevers, a Belgium liquor, similar to gin but slightly fruity. Allie and I tried it with a Hoegarden and the citron Jenever dropped in. It was very tasty. Then we had an Apfleminger, another Tripel. I think I have decided I am a fan of the Tripel.

Finally, it was dinner time and we had to meet up with the other girls at Los Banditos for a Mexican Feast. A Feast it was!

Antwerp Saturday, October 31

Happy Halloween!!!

Today was spent wandering through Antwerp, which is known for its fashion and cutting edge designs. With this in mind we knocked off all the sights in the mourning including the Cathedral and the Castle before splitting up and having a little alone time.

Town Hall

The buildings lining the main town square

The Castle

An Old Shipping Port

A beautiful church we wandered by while working our way back towards the main square

First Beth and I wandered into the area known for its unique Antwerp craftsmanship, before heading into the Latin Quarter. We spent the majority of our time window shopping because we couldn't afford anything. Then Beth went off to ge her hair cut and I met up with Allie to visit the Diamond Museum.

Not all that it was cut up to be. I don't believe there was a singel real diamond in the museum, just replicas and then there was a whole section of displays that had fiction stories tied to them. We were not impressed, so back to the hotel to wait for Allyson and Lizzie who had gone to a neighboring town to view one of Allyson's favorite Renaissance artists.

Antwerp to Brussels to Home
Sunday, November 1

Leisurely breakfast at a local cafe for a our last waffle before boarding the train back to Brussels to purchase a couple last minute souvenirs at the Beer Temple and Neuhaus. Then to the airport to relax, read, and wait for our plane to take off.