Thankful

There is one Thanksgiving tradition that we are keeping. My mom always went around the table before the meal and had everyone say what they were thankful for. Watching the news with homes in San Diego and Miami burning helps remind me of what to be thankful for. I am thankful for my crazy little family and my wonderful supportive extended family. I realized that if our house went up in flames, or we lost it in a flood...as long as I have my family, I am ok. As holidays tend to revolve more and more around presents and things, I am thankful for the people (and puppies) in my life.

Happy Holidays!!

My husband and I decided a while ago that we were going to make our own traditions. This stemmed from the fact that his family is in Texas, mine is in Alaska and Colorado, and what do we do for Thanksgiving?? This saves us from arguing about who's family to visit, buying plane tickets, rushing around, preparing food, being stressed, and finding someone to take care of our dogs. Holiday time can be stressful!! I've actually heard people argue over what's better on sweet potatoes: marshmallows or brown sugar. I actually can't handle all that stress so we made our own tradition. For the last three years we've been going camping on Thanksgiving. It gives us some peace and quite, out in nature, and the puppies get to play. This is our first Thanksgiving since we've been married so we are hoping to keep up the tradition. So from my family to yours...Happy Holidays!!!

2005 - The Grand Canyon, Arizona & Cathedral Gorge, Nevada



2006 - Joshua Tree National Park, California & San Diego, California



2007 - Allegany State Park, New York & Lake Erie, Pennsylvania



Oh...and for some weird reason, the last two years have found us on a beach during Thanksgiving. Weird. But dog-friendly beaches are awesome. :)

2006 - San Diego, California



2007 - Lake Erie, Pennsylvania

Beautiful Places to Read

Speaking of being thankful...

I am thankful I've been to some pretty cool libraries in my day. I love checking out movies and CDs as well as books. The main library on Denali street in Anchorage is wonderful with a beautiful fountain outside that freezes in the winter to simulate the Aurora Borealis. I found the picture of the fountain at this site.











AND of course the cool Denver Public Libary. That's sort of what I was expecting the New York City one to be like...only better. But of course it wasn't.

And Colorado State's Morgan Libray which looks like an open book....was my home away from home sometimes which of course had a coffee stand :)

Library Rant

I have to post this. One of the first things I learned upon moving to New York City has to do with that beautiful New York Public Library with the famous lions and architecture. I was so excited to see it...to go study and do graduate school stuff. You know...experience the New York Public Library. But upon asking our New York friend where it was...he told me it is a "research" library...you can't check anything out there. Insert picture of me being sad...I think I pouted.

Then he told me the "real" library is right across the street. Oh!! Ok!! So I trotted my little self with my computer to the Mid-Manhattan Public Library to do some important graduate homework (insert me being slightly sarcastic). Anyway...I was so not impressed with the library. The level where it's ok to whip out your laptop and do work had a total of five outlets (not really being sarcastic)...with people on standby watching people leave like hawks swooping down to snatch the spots. So fortunately I finished my test before my computer's battery died. I don't think the library has been renovated or updated since maybe the sixties or seventies. Hmmm...

Oh and this was after I went to our local branch. At our branch I was looking for a book for my husband...a Neil Gaiman book called Neverwhere...and I swear the library had eight titles in the "G" section. Seriously....I think I have a better selection at home.

I was so disappointed that I haven't yet taken a photo of the famous library. The photo above is from this website.

Ok...enough of my rant...it's out and now I can spend the rest of the weekend being Thankful :)

Spies vs Spies

Book Blog

I just finished Double Cross Blind by Joel N. Ross and I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I didn't think I was going to because my husband read it said it was just ok. But I loved it! The book starts out in London on December 1, 1941...so those of you who know your history may know what event the book is based around. I love books with spies, clues, shaddy night clubs, and double crossed agents. The story's "hero" is an American who was fighting with the Canadians (because America wasn't involved yet) and is recovering from injuries...he also hasn't slept in four days. I love the way the author writes as if you are feeling the craziness of a person who is injured, who witness war, and who hasn't slept for days. Good book :)

Books Galore!!

So remember a few posts ago my brother was MIA? Well he did call and I talked to him for a long time. It was great and he's doing great :) So the call reminded me of a typical NYC thing I'm excited for him to experience whenever he comes to visit. The overwhelming number of places to buy books!! There are shops, used and new, specialty stores, and one of my favorite New York City sights is the photo above taken with my phone this past summer. He'll be swamped with first edition/hard back copies of his favorite books. I'm excited :)

Past Views

So since I failed to upload those photos from my weekend last night I'll post some other photos.

Good tip: If you are ever in NYC, check out Me'Bar. It's on the rooftop of a hotel and has great great views of the Empire State Building. Plus!!! They serve free popcorn. Very cool :) These photos were taken with my phone...

The view:


The bar (I like the lights):