2015 Christmas Letter

Greetings Friends and Family,

2015 was a very interesting year. In full transparency, I am very glad to see it behind me. It was a year where I feel like I was waiting for time to let me out of situations. And time is a funny thing. We are either wanting it to slow down or speed up.

I don’t really consider myself an “emotional” person. I love to laugh and be happy. But other emotions that I am not used to dealing with were very close to the surface this year. I don’t much like it (smile). But regardless of where I am in my journey or season, I do hold on to my faith and belief that all things will work for my good. Things do have a way of working out how they are supposed to. I take comfort in that.

For my yearly “big” trip, I went to Spain and Portugal. Most of the trip was spent in Spain with three nights in Portugal. The weather was super nice. Both countries have always been on the list, and they finally happened. I have to say, I loved both places. There is so much history, especially in Southern Spain. With all that is happening in the world, it was nice to walk in places where at some point in time, Christians, Muslims, and Jewish people walked and lived together in peace as People of the Book. If you want to read about my trip, it is in my blog. In case you missed it, here is the first entry:

http://latonja.blogspot.com/2015/10/iberian-adventures-take-one.html

Trip Highlights:

• Getting to know and hanging out with Leslie. We had many conversations about being single, family, work, relationships, exploration, politics, religion, and life in general. I love encountering other women who like to travel and are willing to cut out on their own to do so. There is much to see. Leslie, if you read this, I hope our paths cross again. You are good people (smile)!
•  Spending an evening in Valencia with Leslie where we met and ate with a Canadian named Ronald. He was very interesting. He is an energy therapist who had just spent 35 days doing the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Ronald is supposed to be praying to four Italian love angels on behalf of Leslie and me that we may find love. Please feel free to join him in those prayers. “I am ready for love…”
• Visiting the Alhambra Palace in Granada. This is a place I have always wanted to visit. So rich with history. It was also cool to visit the Royal Chapel and see the crypts of Isabella and Ferdinand. Their conquering of Granada was a turning point in history with the resumption of the Inquisition as well as the continuation of the formation of modern day Spain, which their marriage was also a piece of. They also funded Columbus’ expeditions.
• Spending a warm fall night with a waxing moon in Seville with Leslie listening to music in an open area where there was a mixture of locals, tourists, families, and single/dating young people enjoying themselves. Evenings like this one are my favorite part of traveling. I feel the most at one with the city.
• Spending a few nights taking evening paseos (strolls) around the Triana neighborhood. The square there was very lively.
• Taking a took-took (which reminds me of an auto rickshaw) ride through the Graca and Alfama areas of Lisbon during the pouring rain with Leslie. The driver was a woman named Maria, who is a student. She is a kindred spirit. She has a “yellow” personality like my friend Mary. They were great neighborhoods.
• Spending an evening in Lisbon with Leslie at an Irish Pub where we met some awesome people, Miguel and Armando, and had awesome conversation. There is so much more we have in common as a human race. Why we are constantly being separated by race, religion, politics, etc. is beyond me. It’s exhausting, and we end up fighting each other rather than the real enemy, whoever that is. These days are too much like pre-War World II where people are creating an enemy or scapegoat for people to blame. “What can men do against such reckless hate?” King Theoden.
• The beauty of Ponta da Piedade is something I loved. There are Stations of the Cross that lead to this spot, which is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. I also took my latest favorite picture there. It’s the hair.
• Doing a spare-of-the-moment decision zip line ride in Toledo. I think the disturbance in the Force from my screams is still being felt.
• When I first got to Madrid, I found it hectic like Athens. By the end, I found the pulse, and I loved walking around it. I enjoyed the museums in Madrid, especially the Prado. I liked the Thyssen-Bornemisz Museum as well. There was an Edvard Munch exhibit there. “I see people behind their masks...who restlessly scurry along a tortuous road to the end,” Edvard Munch. I've always liked his work.

With Leslie and Armando at the Irish Pub. He donned that outfit for the picture.

Me zip lining in Toledo.

For more pictures: https://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Password is italia

In March, I took a quick trip to Long Beach for my job. The reason I mention it is because I got to see my buddies from other port cities, so it is a very enjoyable business trip. Long days and exhausting but fun and a great time to catch up with some of the amazing people I have met in the port industry. I also had a chance to hangout with Samarah for a minute.

In May, I went to a monastery, Westminster Abbey, with Romanita and Toyia. It was great. The biggest message I got there was to declutter my life. My room there was very simple. There was a bed, desk, lamp, chair, nightstand and one picture on the wall. It was nice to not have cellphone coverage. So no Facebook, email, or texting. It was just being alone with my thoughts. I might need to go back LOL! The temptation to want to retreat into a monastic life is strong. The trip did send me on a mission to purge. I went through every drawer, box, nook, and cranny. I really did a deep clean, and it felt nice. The only part that was hard was my books, but I did get rid of a bookcase full of books a few years ago.

Me taking a stroll on the grounds of the monastery

The fitness journey I began in January 2014 continues. I am at the point where I am trying to maintain. In March, I did my fourth St. Patrick’s Day Dash, which is a 5K. I did the Seattle Challenge in May. My team, the Nosey Nellie’s, finished 25 out of 285 teams and qualified for nationals! In June, I walked my second half-marathon (the Rock and Roll Seattle), and in November, I walked my third (the Seattle Marathon). My time for the Seattle Marathon, 3 hours and 25 minutes, beat my goal of 3 hours and 30 minutes. If you had told me a few years ago I would walk two half marathons in a year, I probably would have laughed. I am doing the Rock and Roll Seattle in June. One of these years, I would love to do it in Lisbon, Madrid, Dublin, or Las Vegas. The Vegas one is at night and part of it is along the strip. I also met an older woman who used to walk full marathons. I will need to marinate on that one.

Me, Erica, and Kim at the beginning of the St. Patrick's Days Dash

Erica, Kim, me, and Stacy at the Seattle Challenge finish line

Janice, me, Kenna, and Des with our Rock and Roll Half Marathon finisher bling

Nita and I at the beginning of the Seattle Marathon. She ran; I walked.

2015 was a year of weddings! I was a bridesmaid in April for Kelly’s wedding and in September for Romanita’s. I read a poem at Desiree’s wedding in September. Late summer/early fall was full of bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and weddings. It was a great. I also rediscovered how much I love dancing. I am very happy for all of the newlyweds and wish them many years of happiness. Let the love flow.

With Nita at the wedding reception

Des and I before the wedding

I was able to get in two cooking classes in 2015. One was a French cooking class at the Hot Stove Society. The instructor was an American who has lived in France for 21 years. It was cool, and I was able to meet Tom Douglas, who is a Seattle restaurant legend, before the class. My favorite foods from the class were lovely lamb chops and excellent eggplant. The other class was for Des' shower at Hipcooks. We made a variety of foods and had so much fun! My favorites were ceviche and this yummy chocolate mouse like dessert. Yummy!

With Linda during our French cooking class

Cooking class for Des' bridal shower.

It’s hard to believe my church newsletter is entering its 15^th year! Where did the time go? I am so excited to announce, I will be working on the second anthology in 2016. It will be great to have something productive to concentrate on.

I did spend part of 2015 on the ledge, so to speak. But even in my more trying seasons, I can always say God has been good to me. More than I can put in words. I am surrounded by love and support and that makes me very rich! And writing this Christmas letter has reminded me of the many good moments, so I will stop calling 2015 an off year (smile).

I expect 2016 will be a good year. I need to get myself together so to speak. It’s time to prepare for the next level. Winter is coming and there is preparation that needs to be done!

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

love. hug. xoxo. 

ltb

I walked my third half marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was great to finish. This is my second Seattle Marathon. I luckily had dry weather for both. It was cold this year, but it was not as cold as last year. I am already signed up for the Rock and Roll in June, which will be number four!

Here is what I wrote on Facebook:
Excited to say, I beat my half-marathon goal walk of 3 hours and 30 minutes, and I finished in 3 hours and 25 minutes. As I was walking, people would pass me, or I would pass them. I kept thinking, “The race is not to the swift.” I just needed to finish my race. I walked together with two different women for periods of time. One was walking much faster than me, so eventually I was like go ahead. The other was walking too slow, so eventually I was like I am going to walk ahead. LOL. But in life, I would encourage you to find your stride and pace and walk in it. I know at the end (whether it's a race, a season, or my life), I just want to keep my course. That’s my word for today.

Nita and I before the race. She ran, and I walked.

During the first mile, Gabriela met me to say hi. She also gave me a nice snack bag. Thanks, Gaby!

Pictures from trip

So this year, I am going to do better in getting my pictures printed and photo albums done in a timely matter. I just recently did the three prior trips, and I had forgotten most of the details. This year, I will get it done. Prints are ordered, and I have photo albums already!

Here is a link to pictures. The password is: italia.

https://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Madrid...The Last Mile

Greetings friends and family,

Madrid is the last mile of my trip, over the course of three nights. I’ve made good progress in the time that I have been here.

Time is blending together, so I will try to recall what I did when.

So Wednesday night, Leslie and I went to the Reinas Sofia Museum. We were able to gain entry during a “free entry” time that was the last two hours of their open hours. It’s mainly modern art, and I am reminded that I am not a big fan. However, it does house some works by Picasso, including the famous Guernica. It also houses some Salvador Dali’s, who I have actually liked through the ages despite the fact that he’s part of the Surrealism genre.

Thursday morning, went to the Royal Palace and the Cervantes Monument. The monument has two sculptures of the woman he loved. It’s interesting. One showed how she really looked (older, plain, worn) the other showed how he viewed her, which was beautiful. It was quite touching because love does cause our eyes to see something beautiful.

In the late afternoon, I tagged along with Leslie because she wanted to see the Temple of Debod. My understanding is that Egypt gifted the temple to Spain after Spanish architectures helped the country do some work. It was very cool! There were some very pronounced hieroglyphics and the piece dates back 2000 years or so. It is dedicated to Osiris.

Then walked around Puerta del Sol, which is a thriving center. Walked along the Gran Via, which is kind of like their Fifth Avenue. And back to Plaza Mayor, which is where we walked the first day there. It’s fun walking the city at night, especially in the many squares along the way. People are everywhere, just enjoying being outside.

Today, Friday, I spent time in the Retiro Parks. It’s very warm out so it was fun to people watch as people enjoyed the sun.

Also went to the Prado Museum, which Rick Steve’s votes as having the greatest collection of paintings by the European masters. There were works by Spanish artists Goya and Velazquez as was well as Italian and Flemish painters. I meant to spend two hours there, but I ended up spending a little over three. There was so much to see, and I ended up covering pretty much all of the museum.

Then, as if that was not enough, I went to the Thyssen-Bornemisz Museum. They actually have some of the works of Edvard Munch in a special exhibit. I like his works, and there was a smaller drawn out image of the Scream that was there. There were several quotes from him littered about:

“I do not paint what I see but what I saw.”

“I see people behind their masks...who restlessly scurry along a tortuous road to the end.”

Yeah…he sounds a little blue.

The permanent exhibit had some Picasso, Dali, Monet, etc.

This is my last night here (sob). I fly out tomorrow morning. I did enjoy Spain and Portugal very much. So much history in one place.

I think those are the highlights. The rest of the time was just spent wandering around different areas of the city. It has a strong pulse. It’s feels less chaotic now than when I arrived.

I actually feel like I am coming home early. I have spent the previous three Halloween nights in Europe. This time, it will be a day of travel to arrive home in the midst of the festivities.

I hope Linus finds the right pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin.

"Another winter day has come and gone in even Paris and Rome…”

Segovia

Greetings friends and family,

Spent a few hours in Segovia, which is very close to Madrid. It’s the place where people from Madrid go to escape the summer heat.

Right off the Plaza Mayor is the church where Isabella was crowned Queen of Castile.I forgot about her path to the throne, and this trip was a nice reminder of some of the Spanish history that I have learned over the years.

There is a really cool Roman Aqueduct. Segovia was the site of a Roman military base. It was built to provide water and is nine miles long, though only part of it is exposed. It’s about 2000 years old. I am amazed at the engineering! I’m looking at it wondering how on earth they built it. It’s mind blowing.

Walked through the former Jewish Quarters.

Went into the Cathedral, which was very impressive. It’s the last Gothic style church built in Spain.

Then visited the Alcazar, which the Spanish say is the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast castle. So have been able to locate a few castles but no prince! It has a chapel where Philip II married his fourth wife. Poor dude. He lived a long life for that time period and all four of his wives died.

The place is famous for its suckling pig. I was tempted to try it, but it’s like the baby pigs are killed when three weeks old…dilemma. Poor Babe! But dang, it looked really good (in all caps)!