Merry Christmas, Avid Reader!

Christmas Through New Eyes

On the third day of Christmas,
My season brought to me:
A night with the Paulson fam-ly!

With all eyes on Jace,
And our gifts under the tree,
We watched him shriek with glee.

A basketball hoop,
giggling Bert & Ernie,
A quick learner did we see:

Jace jammed the ball,
A future athlete he will be.
Oh, what joy tonight brought to me!

Snowed In!

There's going to be a white Christmas in Seattle! And from the sound of what's to come, I'll be watching it come and go from the comfort of my townhouse! Indeed, Avid Reader, Seattle has seen more snow in the past two days than I think I've seen in my 17 years in Seattle... flakes as large as I remember from my youth in the Blue Mountains; silence only a unifying snow can create; joyous and friendly neighbors that the holidays and a beautiful world always bring.

Of course, all of the snow and its commitment to keeping cars off the roads allowed us to enjoy the hills of the Maple Leaf neighborhood on Sunday. There's nothing like an old school sled and a one year old trying to figure out if he enjoys the winter or not. Let's just say we may have to wait until next Christmas to get Jace truly jazzed about the white stuff!

Happy Holidays and a warm, white Christmas to you and yours!

Christmas with the Weavers

The Weavers stayed over Friday evening... and we celebrated our Christmas on Saturday morning!

The Weavers were wonderful to me -- with treasures right up my alley. Best, was the fact that we got to enjoy our own Christmas together... complete with Christmas dinner (KFC! Love KFC so much!), Hot Buttered Rum, games, and a visit from Santa in the middle of the night.

I was secretly pleased to see beautiful Amy in the beautiful pashima shawl I brought back for her from India as well as John's joy at cracking nuts with Indiana Jones. I look forward to our 2009 adventures, friends!

Slumdog Millionaire

While not an APAC adventure per se, I was transported back to Mumbai today through 'Slumdog Millionaire' -- one of the most intense and brilliant films I've seen. How and why does an uneducated 18-year-old slum rat get on India's 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' And what happens when he does?

Wonderfully directed -- and even more incredibly acted -- it was all too real based on just the sliver of what I had the chance to see in Mumbai not six weeks ago. I yearn to see more. And never to see it again at the same time.

Back to Normal

Life took a REturn to the better last night as John, Amy and I were able to get together again at our favorite watering hole (St.Andrews), enjoy ice cold beer & delicious pub cuisine, donate coasters, realize we were calling the waiter by a completely incorrect name, and compete in 12 thrilling rounds of SYN*!

And when I say "compete" and "thrilling", I mean it! Three of the sudden death finals ended in a dealer confidently staying with a King, and with the underdog holding on to a Joker! What this means, Avid Reader, is that there was much celebration and even more gnashing of teeth in the middle of the bar! These finales were sights to see, included screeches to hear, and will be stories to tell for all time.

To normalcy!

(*and yes, JW dominated SYN: JW, 6; AW, 4; TM 2)

Jace Celebrates

We celebrated Jace's First Birthday this weekend... with presents and balloons and an amazing PLATYPUS CAKE! In a secretly pleasing announcement months ago, Steph Paulson said she wanted to shape Jace's Birthday Cake in honor of one of Jace's favorite toys: "Hodge Podge", the stuffed platypus I brought Jace from Australia this summer. And she did! Jace et al. dove in to an edible platypus cake for his first birthday and we enjoyed an awesome afternoon watching kiddos play with kiddo toys.

And inasmuch as I enjoyed every moment of the day, my favorite (oddly, you may think) came when I had to leave: Jace saw me go... and got upset! Through tears, I got waves and kisses blown through the glass door -- and beamed on the other side. A platypus cake and Jace wanting me to stay. I mean, are you kidding me?! What a birthday.

Seattle Sounders FC Fashion Show

Allow me to take you back, Avid Reader, to 9.17.2006. I had the awesome opportunity to be a part of one of the hottest runway shows in the world: the Season 3 Finale of Project Runway! Fast forward to 12.4.2008 and another hot runway show weaves its way into the fabric of my blog... the Seattle Sounders FC Fashion Show!

Last night, I was lucky enough to join some insiders (John & Amy Weaver) at the revealing of the Sounders FC clothing line. It was half runway show, half soccer fan mecca, 100% cool. Minority owner Drew Carey improv'd his way through introductions, several other speeches were made, and the show began! Fashion models joined current players to strut their stuff on the runway. For some, it was uncomfortable (announcer Kevin Callabro). Others (most others)? Ducks in water.

We enjoyed watching our dear friend Laura Totten work as the event's official photographer and convinced our friend Stacey to join us for dinner after at Collins Pub in downtown Seattle.

And, I have to tell you, it's odd having just written "Seattle" there. Having had just gone to a full-on fashion show, it felt like NYC all over again!

Catch the video for highlights from the show and see for yourself!

Happy Birthday, Jace John Paulson!

One year ago today, Jace decided it was time to make his debut on the world and in the lives of my dear friends, Steph & Jesse Paulson. The first year of any life is an amazing one -- and such a gift to get to watch. Jace is walking, talking, teeth carving (you should see this kid's crib!), and generally spreading joy to all who are near!

Happy First Birthday, Jace! It's amazing how it's your birthday, but you are the true gift!

A McWeaver Christmas Tradition!

What fun tradition crashing is! Last night, I got to spend the evening with John & Amy Weaver as they put up their Christmas tree, watched 'Christmas Vacation', and enjoyed Hot Buttered Christmas Rum.

Having spent four days sheltered from the world in an attempt to get my health, sleep cycles, and general joie de vivre back on track -- apart from putting up my own tree -- and to avoid the season's press altogether, it was a wonderful way to get into the Holiday Spirit with dear friends! I might now actually be ready to face Christmas (and its corresponding shopping mayhem!)!