A traveling man...

I got my first real example of being a big world traveling businessman this past week. My boss asked me to take a trip (alone) to Paris to train our newly (6 months ago) acquired company how to use a CRM program that I manage. Initially, the thought of traveling across the country alone, to train people who speak a different language, made me apprehensive. I agreed and Sunday night I took a taxi to the airport to catch my red-eye flight (which is the ONLY way to go for this kind of flight). The benefits of flying to Europe with my company is that because of the length of the trip I get to fly Business Class!! The ticket seriously cost $5500...can you believe that?!?!

There are some nice perks that come with your $5500 ticket, though it would NEVER be worth that much of MY money. Right now, I am sitting in the United "Red Carpet Club" which is where the really special people, who spend too much time flying, get to hang out. You get free access when you spend $5500 though...a nice perk. The seats in Business Class are very nice: They recline almost completely making sleeping much more enjoyable, you get a nice 3 course meal (with free alcohol if you so choose), and you have much more space to yourself (no middle seats). My flight in was quite enjoyable though the trip from the US to Europe takes a toll on your body...I woke up at 4 am unable to sleep during my first night.

This is now my second time in Paris, with my first time being to attend the AirShow at Le Bourget. While the airshow was quite memorable, I enjoyed myself more this time because my entire week wasn't planned for me. My new co-workers were very friendly and went out of their way to make sure I was able to enjoy their city. Tuesday night Cedric (an IT guy I was working a lot with lately) took me to Paris for Thai food (which was AMAZINGLY good) and then he took me on a tour de Paris via car. He showed me all the major sites that I learned about in junior high French class including: La Tour Eiffel, Champs Elysees (avec l'arc de Triumph), the Mayor's house (which puts the white house to shame), Notre Dame, Sacre Couer (from a distance), la Louvre, le Musee d'Orsay, and much more. It was absolutely fabulous to see all of these monuments in person after learning so much about them.

The next night, the President of this company took me to le Centre du George Pompidou which is an amazing museum of modern art. I am not an art buff...and especially not modern art...but seeing Picasso's work in person was something special. Some of the art was "tres bizarre" but others were "c'est magnifique," even from a skeptic like myself. Then dinner was on the top level of the museum which overlooked the Mayor's house, Notre Dame, and la Tour Eiffel (in the distance). It was a very memorable night. I found the French people to be amazingly friendly and more than willing to accommodate me and my English (with occasional French speckled in as I got more comfortable)!! I was shocked to see how many people could speak English (and quite well).

I can't wait to come back here sometime when I can have my wife with me to experience it. I made it a point to skip going to the really big attractions so we can experience them together one day!! I found Paris to be the most beautiful city I have seen in person. The details in the building and the materials they are built with are just stunning. Buildings in America are built to last for a century...theirs are built to last for a millennium!! Much like Americans, the people of Paris love their country and feel it is the most wonderful place. I didn't feel any animosity or contempt from the people there though...while we hear about their dislike of Americans, I didn't feel this at any point. I was warmly embraced everywhere I went. Anyone who enjoys traveling must put Paris on their agenda...they even have EuroDisney if you need a splash of America while you are there!!

Wii caved in and bought a Wii

Getting a Nintendo Wii for us has generally been just a passing thought, somewhere along the lines of "yeah, it'd be nice to have one, but no, Wii cannot afford one nor would Wii be able to find one." Until yesterday when I found our match. $400 for the Wii, 2 Wiimotes, 2 nunchucks, 2 classic controllers, Madden '08, Guitar Hero III, the sports disk, and Sonic v. Mario Olympics. There was no way Wii could pass up this deal. So after work, Wii drove downtown Chicago (Lincoln Park) and picked up our new addiction. Yes, the Wii definitely lives up to all the hype. Wii would like to thank both sets of my grandparents and my parents for funding our Wii for us via cash for Christmas presents (and some for Trevor's birthday present).

Trevor adds: Unfortunately, Meghan has already hurt her elbow and thrown her shoulder out. Shouldn't be a shock to those who have known Meghan for any time now! :-) I have to admit, I think this game might help get us in better shape. We just got done playing the Olympics game and we are both breathing pretty hard now. Now we have a new reason (one of MANY) for all our friends to come down to Illinois to visit us!! Come quickly, we miss everyone!

1200 miles later...

For many of you, Christmas means a time to relax and spend extended time with your families and maybe even friends. Maybe you have to travel a little bit here and there...not the case for us. Over the past 5 days, Meghan and I drove 1200 miles (yes almost halfway to our next oil change and I just got on last Friday) in our whirlwind tour of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It was sheer madness, but we managed to have a really good time despite all the driving.

Long ago (last year) we decided it was too much to do both of our families in the same weekend for Christmas so we are alternating years (with the other family getting Thanksgiving with us). This has been a tricky adjustment for both of us, but its the only way to make it work. Well, this year, we decided to take the Saturday before Christmas with my (Trevor's) family and then spend the rest of the time with Meghan's family as it was their year.

Friday night we drove 170 miles to my parents in THICK fog and spent the next morning and early afternoon with them. It was nice to get together with everyone even though it was strange to miss out on the other festivities with the relatives that I have never missed before.

Saturday afternoon, we drove up north to Cloquet, MN (just outside of Duluth) to spend time with Jeannie's side of the family. The first half of this 360 mile drive was in the same dense fog but about halfway there, the fog lifted and it was smooth sailing during the evening. The next morning/afternoon we spent time with the family there celebrating Christmas with everyone. we had a really nice time with everyone (even though I took some heat for the poor performance from a certain football team).

Later that afternoon, it was time to brave the winter storm for our 130 mile drive to the Twin Cities. About halfway home we decided to make a pit stop with Pat and Susan at Grand Casino in Hinckley. We played some blackjack and I think both couples left the table in pretty good shape despite that we were all down to $5 (at the same time) at one point! We got home that night and met up with Jason and Kelly at Major's to watch the Vikings. It wasn't a good day for either of us in the NFL department.

Monday morning (Christmas eve) was a free morning for us...ahh free time...so Meg drove down to meet up with Beth in Cannon Falls (90 miles round trip) while I went to the gym with Jason and Jamie. After and exhausting workout I returned for a shower and then it was off to Eaglebrook for the 3 pm service. This was the FIRST time I was ever at Eaglebrook for Christmas in my 9-10 years of attending there. That night Meghan's immediate family came to her parents house to celebrate together. We had a fondue Christmas which was absolutely wonderful. Its been a while since I've had an entire fondue meal at home but it was really tasty. We really enjoyed this night of celebrating with her family and seeing Gabey and Ana tear into their presents with sheer joy!

Christmas morning was spent at the Berger's who generously spent their Christmas morning with us (and cooked us one FABULOUS breakfast). It was nice to catch up with them and have that traditional Christmas morning of opening presents that I grew up with. Later that afternoon, it was Christmas with Doug's family. We enjoyed a huge turkey dinner (prepared by Doug and Jeannie) but had to zip off at 2:30 as it started snowing again for us. We finished loading the car and were on our way for a 370 mile drive. Its always a little hard to leave MN, but after such a crazy weekend of traveling, its nice to be home! I don't anticipate all of our Christmas weekends to look like this one, but its clear that living in IL is going to make the holidays busy and hectic.

Hi From Mexico

Greetings to everyone from Mexico. For those of you who do not know, Trevor and I came down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with my whole family and Trevor's parents. We arrived on Saturday and took it easy. Sunday was a day spent at the beach and boogie boarding--Trevor's first time, and he was a pro! Today six of us went fishing. We got up at 5:15 this morning and were on the ocean until 4 this afternoon. We caught nine mahi mahi. We also saw humpback whales, dolphins, and a sail fish. Needless to say, tomorrow night my brother-in-law chef (Erik) will be cooking up the mahi mahi for dinner.

Thank you Lord!

I just got off the phone with Obie's vet and they said the tests came back negative, he does not have any cancerous tumors. She said there is a small chance the test was inaccurate but she says its over 90% accurate so she feels very good that our little guy is cancer free!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support through this! Its been a long two days for us waiting to hear if he was okay. He is also back to eating good again which is encouraging so the meds they gave us seem to be working! Yay Yay Yay! :-)