The Best December

Already I have had the best December. It appears to be getting better and better.

The month started out with a trip to Paris which was okay and I finally, GRUDGINGLY, admitted that I do like Paris. I do like Paris. The city. That was a slow but good start. Then things started picking up. I spent the night at the Barnery's place in The Village and we had a lot of fun going to a mediocre Eastern European restaurant (I love that about Brigham) and then a mediocre Christopher Guest film.

And what do you know, B. finally decided to come on a working trip with me to Zurich the next day. Again, you can go to www.briggie.blogspot.com for a peek into this trip. Thankfully I am not pictured, well, not really.

Now Switzerland. We stayed at the Renaissance hotel Zurich which was a disguised Marriott which means the beds were unbelievably comfortable and there was a Book of Mormon in the bedside table drawer. But because it was a disguised Marriott, it was a little swankier than normal featuring WWE wrestlers (see http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown). Yes, they were all there at the hotel but, better yet, they were on the airplane coming back to Newark, some in full costume and attitude. Take a good look at that link. They were all there.

Of course what made The Swiss so fun for me was 1. The Christmas market and 2. German being spoken everywhere. German is a family language and reminds me of home and my family. Especially at Christmas time.

Besides Wrestlers, the hotel hosted an All White Swanky party for many interesting people all in White. I saw many long-haired men with roving eyes. That is ALWAYS fun.

The next day said wrestlers were on said airplane. It was fun to have B. along as I worked, nestled amongst the wrestlers. Then we said goodbye, he went to New York, I flew to Arizona and I watched said movie and had said conversations. I should have written this post last night when I was in a more poetic mood. (I knew it then but sleep was more important to me.)

That was just the beginning of the Best December. I went for a walk today in the 60 degree Arizona sunshine with my i-pod playing and my thoughts swaying. I will leave Wednesday for a Christmas party with Remy in New York. Then a 4 day Oslo trip where I will see Anne (who is, of course, in Barcelona right now but will be back in time to do something.) Then I will fly back to Newark then to Utah where family festivities will be teaming and I will bring many Christmas treats from Belgium, Norway, Switzerland. I almost can't wait. and. . .

What? There's more? Yes, Christmas Day I will fly to Hamburg, Germany. I invited Katie along. I will be there for 5 days--will get paid for it--and then come back and go on an undetrmined trip--probably to europe--for New Year's Eve. This could be fun but also challenging since I am planning on going with some flight attendant friends.

The Best December is taking place because I am mixing travel (work) and family and friends and Christmas. I could not ask for anything better. Deep down below the excitement is a Rich, Hearty Gratitude for the Savior, Jesus, the one we commemorate in December. The one I will strive to honor and remember this Season.