Top Seven Countdown for 2013

The end of 2013 is upon us. It sure went fast, but along the way here were some of my most favorite moments. 

Our First Home

We actually purchased the home at the end of 2012, but 2013 marks our first year in it. It has been a labor of love with painting, waterproofing, and designing, but we have made it our own and it has been a blast.

Remembering Aunt Annie and Grandpa Jim

It was a hard year with two very important family members no longer with us but we honored and memorialized them in style. Aunt Annie's party in SF was a gala and I will never forget all the stories that were told, meeting her friends, and the feeling of her being right there with us. 

Grandpa Jim's party was a different style with elk heads and antlers swarming the room. It was perfectly him and the number of people and stories I heard say it all.  

Adventures in China With My Bestie

Traveling for three weeks through Chin culture awoke my inner explorer. It was so fabulous seeing China first hand, witnessing the amazing and mystical culture, eating the delicious and disgusting food, investigating Communism, and meeting people along the way.  It was truly an experience to remember.

Success: Referendum 74

It's about friggin' time Washington. There are still only 16 (I think) states with marriage equality legislation so we still have a long road ahead, but cheers to the few of us who have finally granted this basic freedom. 

Completed Graduate School

It was a hard two years, but I learned and grew tremendously. Thankfully, I am married to an editor and I got to use my work as my learning laboratory. It was all worth it to have my mom and dad come to graduation and celebrate with seafood and cocktails.

Turning Socialist

We recently elected our first socialist to city council in Seattle and she ran against a pretty liberal D. Socialism is now the talk of the town. We shall see where Ms. Sawant takes us.

Martini Dreaming

Recently over Thanksgiving I got to hang out with one of my favorite peeps, great Aunt Mernie. While I was drinking a martini Inoticed Mern's eyes on my drink. I finally asked her if she wanted one and she proceeded to tell me, "Oh dear, I sometimes dream of bathing in martinis, but I will probably fall down if I have one so I better not."

And on that note, I will be drinking a tini (or two) this evening to ring in the New Year in honor of all the successes and challenges of 2013, all the memories we have made, and all the people who continue to support and be family. 

Here's to you!

M & RL

There is SO much hype in Seattle about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I mean, how can there not be considering they hail from our lovely city, they released a pro-gay single that helped pass the Marriage Equality Referendum 74 in Washington State, and they continue to be social activists in our community by recently fundraising for the financially threatened Orion Center.  These guys got it going on.

Holiday Mood

As we were driving back in to Seattle last night it was fun to see all the christmas decor. It made me excited to get a tree! Here are some fun ideas.

Giving Thanks: Sunny Homeland

Thankful for my homeland of sunny Northern California. Such a gorgeous week with blue skies and rolling golden hills. We'll miss you sunshine! 

 

Giving Thanks: Friends

Thankful for fabulous friends who are family. (This pic is only meant to act as a symbol and not intended to leave anyone out.)

Giving Thanks: Family

I am thankful for this lovely, eccentric, quirky, humorous, and supportive family.

Giving Thanks: Partnership

So many things to be grateful for always, but especially during this week.  I am thankful for this guy and feel so lucky to get to explore life with him.

Eastern Thrills: Final Destination, Hong Kong

What a wildly familiar city, with the fusion of internationalism and Chinese culture, English ubiquitousness, and lots of money, Hong Kong was very similar to Shanghai.  The city was ruled by the Brits until the mid-90s, at which point the Chinese government agreed to allow the culture and local government to remain in control for fifty years, and then the PRC would take over. They consider Hong Kong and the rest of China: one government, two systems. The result is a very different and unique culture, including a different currency.

This city completely seduced me and I decided someday I may just need to live here. 

No overhang restrictions on streets like the U.S. = billboards galore.

Interesting dried goods for any condition.

The buildings are glorious. I loved the graphics on this one.

Skyline view from the highest peak in Hong Kong. 

Who knew Hong Kong is home to some of the world's most elite horse racing and cricket. 

On our way up to the highest peak. Oh, did I mention we took an elevator all the way up?

Buddhist temple.

Every day we hit up a new market. Hong Kong is home to the world's largest jade market (and designer knock-off market). 

I heart you Hong Kong.

What a city.

Farewell China; I hope to be back sometime to learn, see, smell, and eat more!

Eastern Thrills: Guilin and Yangshuo

We left Shanghai for Guilin. Guilin is a Southern "small" city of 5 million people. The city itself was not that interesting, but the surrounding areas were amazing. 

Yangshuo Village.

It was soooooo green.

These are multi-family houses for villagers.

Yangshuo Craft Market. Beware if you don't buy anything.

Yangshuo lady fiends I met. 

Matriarch.

They did a performance for us. Okay, I know what you're thinking, "Erin, are you exploiting rural villagers for touristic entertainment? " Well, yes, I guess I was.  It was really interesting though. These females have VERY long hair (yes they are extensions). They wrap it around their head dependent on their marriage status and the number of kids they have.

I think these were the un-maried girls.

This was some seriously primitive sh#*t.  

We then went to the village center and had lunch. 

We then traveled to the Dragon's Backbone Rice paddy terraces.

We had to climb up a mountain (via pathway).

Along the path were markets and restaurants. 

Mid-day snack.

Charred bats and rats, hmmmm...

The mountains surrounding the Dragon's Backbone were glorious.

I was tempted.

Terraces.

This landscape reminded me of the Sri Lankan tea fields. This was way more breathtaking though. Similar feel also to vineyards in Italy and CA.

Old lady sitting in front of a grave.

Lo ciento perrito.

Stunning landscape.

The three of us on top of the mountain. What do you think the sign says? 

They don't recycle in the cities but they sure did here!!

Harvesting.

Longhorn Sheep?

The long way back down.

Our next day's adventure outside the city was to a small town about two hours west of Guilin. 

Elephant Trunk Hill and Karst.

Market with Karst in background.

Li River.

Confucius Temple.

Next to come, our final destination: Hong Kong.