Our daughter was off to spend the night with her friend Alicia over New Year’s Eve. I think we’ve always had Brittany with us for NYE, so it was interesting figuring out what we would like to do on our own. We thought about going out to our favorite Thai restaurant, but instead we decided to pick up some trout and yummy scallops from our favorite fish monger (Absolutely Fresh).

In Nebraska, when we go to the grocer, we have a selection of fish. Catfish. Swai. Some sort of icky whitefish. Nothing worth eating. The salmon is likely good, but if you really want good, good fish, you have to make a special trip to the fish monger.

We watched a movie on Amazon (can’t remember what) and then we watched part of the festivities in New York City. I began wondering… why is the calendar changing to the New Year party-worthy? I don’t mean to be depressing at all. It’s just that every new year is full of its own challenges. I’ve had some pretty major challenges in the last year; some of them pretty amazing, some of them incomprehensible.

So if every year continues to have its own challenges, I suppose that it’s realizing that you’ve made it through the old year’s challenges or enjoyed the gifts of the previous year, and you’re moving into the unknown, where it can be good or bad; happy or heartbreaking, but hopefully mostly joyful.

Maybe it’s the feeling of comfort of the moment; being in a happy place, with a roof over our heads, access to all of the requirements to live on… plus something more. And if we’ve started the New Year off in a horrid place, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Maybe that is the point.

And getting to see LMFAO performing in Times Square.

I am waving “so-long” to the challenges of 2011 and saying, “Bring on more great things” to 2012.

Happy New Year!

Nov 30

la deuxième anniversaire

The 29th of November was our 2nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated by going to dinner at Le Voltaire, which is a cozy french restaurant not far from where we live. We mention it to people, and they say, “Where?”, but the reason is because it is tucked away in shopping area behind the mega building for Texas Roadhouse.

After dropping Brit off at our friends’ house, we went to eat. Ian was able to pronounce the french words for the food dishes we chose, which I think impressed the wait staff.

The food was lovely. I had Coquilles Saint Jacques et Crevettes and Ian had Cassoulet de Canard Confit. For dessert, it was Creme Brulee, which I’d never had before. Actually, I don’t recall ever eating french food, outside of escargots, at all. It was really good food and the dinner was quite special, because I was with Ian. :)

It is difficult to believe that it’s been two years since we were married; it seems like just yesterday. There have been many happy moments since we met. I’m looking forward to many more. <3

Nov 21

Ouch

I got a call from school around 10:15 this morning from the school nurse. Brit had tripped and landed on her elbow. The nurse was recommending an x-ray, so I picked up Ian on the way to school, called the doctor on the way, and arranged an appointment. (Well, it was more of an “Brit may have broken her elbow and needs an x-ray… Where should we go?” call.. totally not knowing if we needed the ER yet, or urgent care or needed to see the doctor first)

We had a doctor’s appointment set for 15 minutes from where we were, which was awesome, since we were in the same neighborhood.

The doctor examined her arm, did a few physical tests, then sent us for x-rays to see if there was a break or fracture somewhere, but luckily, there wasn’t.

We came away with an excuse for gym class for no upper body physical activity and instructions to give her 600 mg of ibuprofen and ice to her elbow for 7 – 14 days.

Crazy day, but it turned out alright.

Nov 19

Nebraska Music Educators Conference

Brit’s school band performed at the NMEAC in Lincoln, Nebraska, where the acoustics were amazing, to suit the the band’s amazing performance. They have come a long way with their musical pieces, and it was just fabulous to hear them at this venue.

Brit spotted her band director from last year, and she was quite pleased he was there. The school principal also was in the audience, which as a great show of support for the band. And the proud moment was at the end when the band got a standing ovation.

Of course, the interesting part was navigating the university’s campus in order to find parking. Even with a map, it proved challenging. :) I think the satnav needs to have a feature that identifies available parking areas, too. Maybe someday.