Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

It’s ugly here in the Golden State. Ugly, as in 45 degrees and raining. And the forecast is even calling for snow on the valley floor for Saturday morning! What the what? I’ve lived here for over eight years and have never seen a single flake. And although I grew up with white winters, I will be completely amazed to see it here in Fresno. I often chuckle to myself whenever the weather goes crazy here. People (native Californians) go nuts over the mention of temperatures dipping below 50 F and gusty winds and the possibility of snow. The mere fact that the local news channel has a “Storm Warn” system to alert us of impending “extreme” weather (ie. one 5-minute thunder storm per year and the occasional 20 mph wind) seems laughable. I would love for the people of California to experience a good, old fashioned Saskatchewan storm rolling in after a hot summer day in August. The blackest of black clouds appear on the horizon, the air turns frighteningly still and heavy, lightening flashes in the distance and the rumble of thunder creeps in, closer and closer. The angry wind arrives suddenly as the temperatures drop and the full force of the storm descends upon you. Sometimes there is rain, other times it’s just a dry electrical storm. I was always deathly afraid of the wind as a kid, which was unfortunate considering how windy it got in the spring and summer, but living in California has erased that fear. Mostly because it’s never windy here. And when the weatherman calls for wind, I know it’ll just be a nice breeze. And snow in Fresno....I’ll believe it when I see it!

Now, I’ll be the first one to admit that I am now completely climatized and become freakishly cold when the mercury falls below 70 degrees. My plans for tomorrow’s possible snow fall involve tucking myself inside our cozy house with lattes and scrabble games and movies and my book. But I can still pretend to be unfazed by this California winter storm like any other tough Canadian girl, right?

{People & Places 2010}

Christmas + Disneyland = Magical

Darkness descended upon the crowd. Throngs of people pushed in on all sides, waiting impatiently for the moment to arrive. Mummers, laughing, hushed conversation swirled around us. The cold air pressed in on our rosy cheeks. Time passed slow like molasses. Then, with a start, the moment we were eagerly awaiting. Beautiful instrumental music filled the air, melody and notes combined to create familiar Christmas carols and songs. And as eyes turned toward the majestic castle, all stood with bated breath gazing at the dazzling explosion that lit the sky. High above Sleeping Beauty’s glistening abode, the fireworks showered the night sky like the opening scene of a Disney film. A dizzying array of brilliant white, red, green and blue light shone brightly on the pleased faces below. Squeals of delight and awe erupted as all who witnessed the sight glowed warm with Christmas delight and wonderment.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Taking our seat in the make-shift taxi, I noticed we were sharing the ride with a sweet family of four; mom and dad in the front seat, two young boys in the second, Jeremy and I bringing up the rear. The car wound its way through the adorable ride. Colorfully decorated scenes with Sulley, Mike Wazowski and Boo appeared as we rounded each turn, masterfully telling the story of "Monsters, Inc." Nearing the end of the ride, a life-size Roz, the dispatcher, stood to our right. With her clipboard in hand and cat eye glasses perched on her nose, she looked straight at our car and barked, “Young man in the second row....” The brothers immediately snapped their heads to exchanged a shocked look. Then the oldest boy turned back toward me, his large brown eyes unblinking and wide. A mixture of puzzlement and anxiety washed across his face as he struggled to understand exactly who Roz was calling to. With a grin on my face I looked down at him and said, “She was talking to you!” He gasped in astonishment and wheeled around in his seat. As we disembarked our vessel, I heard the young boy exclaim to his father in a breathless voice filled with wonder, “She was talking to me!” That, my friends, is the magic of Disneyland.

Hark the herald, flamingos sing!

Zoo Lights at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season. We met up with family and friends tonight to enjoy the zoo all lit up with Christmas displays and lights. Most of the animals were MIA, but we did visit the ever-stinky flamingos, Sting Ray Bay and the reptile house. The camel was out relaxing with a big red blanket on his back, a la Santa Claus, and we sneaked a peak at the Red wolves. Having a big wolf just 30 feet away from you is a wee bit disconcerting. It’s even creepier in the dark, especially when you’re convinced the wolf can hear the Team Jacob wisecracks circulating as the group passes by (go, Team Edward!)

Zoo Lights runs each weekend through the month of December and was our alternative this year to the over-crowded Christmas Tree Lane. Complete with free hot chocolate and cookies, it was a fun way to support a local attraction and do something Christmasy!

A girl can dream, can't she?

I keep an ongoing list of “things I must do before I die.” The vast majority of items on my list are destinations I’d like to visit someday. High on this list is my dream of spending a sun-drenched holiday on a secluded island in the South Pacific; perhaps a Fijian or Tahitian island, I’m not picky. Staying in an over-water bure would be a must, obviously.

Turquoise water, white sand beaches and tan lines have occupied my day dreams as of late, especially as the sun now quickly disappears in the late afternoon and the temperature starts to drop (and yes, I realize I live in California where the forecast for this week is in the mid-60s, but I’m still cold!).

So as I type this, clad in my warm hoodie and sweat pants with Christmas music playing in the background, I’m holding on to the dream that someday I will be able to cross off that trip to the South Pacific from my wish-list.

Ending on a good note...

Ready for a night out on the town!

My birthday week concluded Saturday with a wonderful evening spent at Campagnia and the Fresno Philharmonic. Jeremy & I were smokin’ hot; Jeremy in his dapper suit, and I in my sexy little dress and heels that absolutely kill my feet! Campagnia never fails to impress, and, as expected, dinner was delicious. Jeremy ordered the filet mignon with spinach and sun-dried tomato ravioli, and I had the braised short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes. Yum.

After dinner we headed downtown to the William Saroyan Theatre for an evening of classical music. We don’t go to the symphony all too often, and every time I attend a performance I wonder why that is. I truly love it.

Not only was the music incredible, but so was the company. Seated next to us were a wonderful 85-year-old man and his 80-year-old wife. This older gentleman was one of those people you could sit with for hours, listening to a lifetime of stories and learning from his 85 years rich with experiences. He spoke of his time as a gunner on the B-29 heavy bomber aircraft during World War II, how he returned home to marry his bride, went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and later went on to receive his PhD in Genetics. To celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this summer, he and his wife retraced the route they took on their honeymoon, traveling throughout Montana, Idaho and up into the Canadian Rockies. Next year they plan on visiting Alaska. “See, that’s what you get to do when you’re retired,” he said with a grin.

As a season ticket holder, he also imparted to us some knowledge about the Philharmonic. As the beautiful Steinway piano was rolled out to the center of the stage, he leaned over and asked if we had heard about the Philharmonic’s extensive search for the exquisite piano, which cost about $200,000. With unmasked excitement on his face, he eagerly told us that this Steinway had a beautiful “voice” and exclaimed that it was a “wonderful piano.” Indeed he was correct; after listening to the first few notes rise from the keys, I knew we were in for a treat.

This particular performance featured guest pianist, Orli Shaham, playing Frederic Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor. As an amateur piano player (and much unpracticed as of late) I was captivated by the fluidity of her movement and how quickly her fingers danced across the keys. It was beautiful and moving; goose bumps rose along my arms as I listened, and I was swept away. That’s the wonderful thing about sitting in a dark theatre listening to an orchestra play; the music washes over you, and all at once your mind is collectively racing and perfectly still.