New Year's Resolution

This year I've made a new and very different resolution. I had a presentation in January that was on goal setting--and the lady I worked with taught me that goals should be something that you are excited about!!

I don't think I've ever set one goal in my life that I was very excited about. :)

So this year that has changed! My goal in 2010 is to read 12 books. I've gone though my whole life reading maybe one or two books a year so that will be an AMAZING accomplishment! The cool thing is--as soon as I made the goal, I wanted to read all the time!!! It's a very weird feeling for me.

So my January book wass the Sleeping Beauty proposal...

I was very excited about this b/c I loved the Cinderella Pact by the same author (which was one of the most fun and clever chick lit books I've read). But there were very few traces of similarity, if any. I didn't really like this book and struggled to get through it.

But I finished it and I still have 10 days of January left to get going on another. Next up: The Help and I still need to finish Breaking Dawn....

Leadership 2010

This year, Stampin' Up! Leadership was in Phoenix. So I headed there last Monday, for the show that ran Wed-Fri. Then on Saturday, we had a Regional event--some of the same demonstrators, some different....

This was truly one of my favorite weeks of work....ever!

But I am still wondering when I will return to normal since I've done nothing but sleep and veg since I got home on Sunday. :)

Here are a few highlights:

Brian....

We went to see Nine one night and basically it was an expensive nap for me (or rather for Andrea since I forgot my credit card! ha!).

We couldn't figure out what Nine stood for since there were only 7 women in the movie. Brian suggested either Nine hours long or Nine confirmed cases of lung cancer after filming...both very likely. :)

Hands down, it was my favorite stage yet....

...and with a blue background...so awesome!
Always a favorite to be w/my coworkers...Me, Carrie, Shiloh and Lisa...

And then almost the same group but w/Amanda...

Prize Patrol is for sure my favorite part of events! :) (Pope, Carrie, me, Angie)

And this picture has become a tradition for me and Amanda at each of our events....
I got to teach a class w/Natalie Travis....it was much more than a class to me....more like a wonderful blessing and experience!
So many demonstrators....so little time....I wish I could have a picture with every one of them! This is Cindy Major from Quebec City....
Georgia Giguere and Lisa Fast (from the mid-west)....
Winona Semler (Edmonton)....

Vegas

OK so forever ago--in September--my Kiwi coworker Emma came to the states. We met up in Vegas and had the most fantastic weekend!!!!! And I've never posted because well, I don't really have a good excuse! :) Sorry for the delay of picture sharing, Em!

I will start by saying that i SERIOUSLY love Vegas!!! This was my first time staying on the strip and it is for sure the best way to go!

One night we went to the Wynn to see La Reve and it was for sure one of my very favorite shows ever!!! Not to mention the amazing theater and hotel, etc...

We shopped til we dropped...Emma is one of the few that can shop with the best (meaning me. ha!). Of course besides me and my sisters, there are few who really do want to shop and shop and shop until there is no more money or energy. That's when it's time for a little Diet Coke so we can keep going for several more hours. :)

We stayed at Treasure Island. It was so perfect, super swanky....

...including an awesome slutty pirate/siren show each night.

We took a break from shopping for a few minutes....

Awesome food with an awesome person....

The Bellagio never disappoints....

It was the perfect weekend!

Italy etc.

There are still a few more things about Italy that I didn't get documented... funny things that I definitely want to remember....


This picture was up in our Rome hotel....so hilarious b/c it was made of fabric and the medals, sunglasses and other details were stuck right on the canvas! They are the hotel owners. :)

The first day in Florence, Luciano & Luciana made us hot cocoa--which they had never made before. The first time I took a sip, I nearly choked!!! So after adding about 4 packets of sugar and a dollop of Nutella I was able to get it down.


The funny part came when they asked us how it tastes? Pope and I said "Oh it's great--thank you so much!" And then Luciano poured the remainder in a mug to give it a try...we were thinking "oh no now he will see how nasty it tastes!" But instead he just said "um...very good!" hahaha


But we had it every day anyway because it was endearing that they were willing to make it for us. :)

Naturally, Italian men are one of my favorite things!! Some might think they are more forward but I just think they are honest. :) haha Even the ones that had nothing to gain would still say things that would shock us.

This man wanted to be my slave....

...and I am not really sure why I didn't jump at that proposal!!

This man said his heart would never forget us....(seriously who says that kind of stuff?)

This man...well I call him my boss because he gave me a standing invitation to work for him...

And one last shot of Francesca....with Florence in view. :)

Venezia

On Sunday morning, our last day in Florence, we said goodbye to Amanda around 5:30 am. So sad to say goodbye....I certainly missed her for the next couple days.

We headed to the train station early afternoon, after saying a very, very reluctant goodbye to Florence.
And soon learned the very, very hard way that we had assigned seats on the train (oops!). So after a painful rearranging, we were able to stow our luggage, and find out seats.

And we made a new friend too....poor guy was assigned to share a seat w/3 crazy American women!
Off the train....and onto the public water taxi....

And after much effort we found our hotel....

Our last day in Italy, we buzzed all over Venice....just outside our hotel starting off the morning...

On our way over to Murano to see and buy some glass... Lunch was a delicious pepperoni and french fry pizza! Really, it was tasty!

Us in Piazza San Marco, w/St. Mark's church/cathedral/bascilica (who can remember?). I love this photo b/c there is just so much going on....

The Bridge of Sighs....this wasn't the only time we saw Italy sell out to the highest bidder. I think these buildings were actually under construction but this display is quite the opposite of the usual fabric covering that looks like the actual building....

Cruising down the Grand Canal....

Lisa & I wanted to take a picture with the canal and palazzos behind us in this amazing spot...but this gondalier was just hanging out there. So we got in place and then I just turned to him and held out my arm inviting him into our picture. And i am not exaggerating when I say he rolled his eyes, then took one step towards me to get into the picture. Hilarious! But it sure made for a cool photo....

Self-portrait whilst on the steps of the Rialto Bridge....Grand Canal in the background...

When we were in Siena, we talked to a couple who had just left Venice and found themselves in the middle of high tide one night so they had to borrow boots from their hotel. I secretly hoped we would have the same situaion so that we could walk the catwalks which are all over. No such luck with high tide....but lucky for us, the catwalks were still set up....
Grand Canal at night....
Last meal in Italy. :( Sad. At least I brought home a few amazing rings, right? This one is glass...

Farewell, Italia...see you soon (I hope!).

(sigh) Florence...

On this trip, I decided that Paris has nothing over Florence....except the Eiffel Tower of course. But besides that I love Florence as much....maybe more. I love it so much words don't properly explain....and that's the reason for the (sigh).

After a short bus ride (short ride on a bus, not a ride on a short bus) from Siena, we headed to the best B&B in the best location.....Luciano & Luciana (brother & sister)...

The view out our window in one direction: the market....

...and in the other direction we could see the Piazza Della Signoria where there are tons of these....

We headed to the Duomo first things and climbed the tower. I like to do that to get oriented. :)

We looooove graffiti....and 496 stairs!

Yesssss.....we all got the memo about blue day! (gorgeous Florence behind us)

And here it is....the unveiling of the ring that I bought in Siena. Calling it a ring doesn't begin to do it justice.....

Why did we take more pictures climbing up and down than we did of the view???

Damn these steps are small.....good thing I have Shiloh and Lisa in front of me to catch my fall!

So many pigeons....so little time....

I'm home!!!!

I like this restaurant...I don't even care if they are about to kick us out and tell us to go to a pizzaria down the street!

Best pizza on the trip....

And a temporary camera malfunction provided 'world on fire' type of pictures....amazing!

I loooooooove shopping....I even love watching other people shop!

I found the one...and I only had to go to every handbag store in the city 3 times! :)

Here's another shot of Francesca (the ring)....color accent photog by Lisa...

Yes please...I want to come back for Florence someday so I will rub the nose of this frightening boar and throw my penny into the drain...

David....the very one....we sneaked a few pictures despite the fact that the photo lady was on constant alert....however no photo can do him justice and all 3 of my travel companions agreed w/this. Must see to believe!

"I can take this guy"

Yes, Lisa, I'd be happy to take your picture....oops I didn't notice that a light post was growing out of your head....just take a couple steps to the left and lets try again.....

Dangit--I really didn't mean to give you an evergreen headress, I promise! Hmmm what else can we get to grow out of your head....

I call this one "The Biggest Loser Italy." There were lots of times where I could hear Jillian in my head..."you're lazy" or "increase your speed" or "get up" or several other versions w/lots of different expletives. :) This was my ongoing joke though---because the food is too healthy (not as delish as American food, if you know what I mean) and we walked 12 hours a day. :)

There are so many more pics but I'm exhausted so I'm done for tonight...I will end by saying Florence was 3 days of absolute bliss!!!