New Year's Eve in Luzern, Switzerland

Today we took cable cars to the top of the legendary Mount Pilatus where we tolled around the top for awhile before taking on a 1.4Km sled track down part of the mountain! After this speedy adventure we came back to our hotel, Waldstatterhof, to get ready for NYE. We had a great dinner at Pfistern where we then spilled into the streets of Luzern to ring in the new year. That's where we met Marc and Willy, our most fun and generous new friends in Luzern, and celebrated through the night at Pickwick and a rock star party at Hotel Schweizerhof!

Feeling On Top of The World

The Matterhorn in Zermatt

It is Switzerland's most famous landmark, the most beautiful mountain in the world and considered by many true mountaineers to be the peak of all peaks: the Matterhorn. To me, it's simply stunning and I was humbled by it's presence and beauty.

Chur to Zermatt, Switzerland

Early to rise for our adventures aboard the Glacier Express! We experienced phenomenal sights of the Swiss Alps on this spectacular train ride that took us along gentle valleys and snow-capped mountains, through deep tunnels and narrow gorges, alongside icy streams and rugged cliffs, charming villages and picturesque castles. This was truly a magical experience.

Zürich, Switzerland

We arrived in Zürich this morning and launched into the streets to see as much of the city as possible. After strolling around for awhile, we took a short train to hike along the ridge from Uetliberg train station towards Felsenegg. Back in the city center we visited the Fraumünster church that houses Marc Chagall's beautiful stained glass windows. We wrapped up the afternoon with a boat cruise around Lake Zürich.

Layover Lunching

Matt and I headed out today for our New Year's trip to Switzerland! We were even lucky enough catch up with my aunt and uncle over lunch during our brief layover in NYC.

The Cool Rents

While home for the holidays I noticed this beachy photo set up that my mom put together and thought it was incredibly creative and sweet. A couple of photos from a recent beach vacation my parents took, tucked into the sand they were walking along. I love this!

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Story Music Montage

Classic ... Tonight was Christmas Eve dinner at Nana's and the full-belly veg out with the marathon of A Christmas Story. Love it!

True Meaning of Christmas

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. What if Christmas doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. -- Dr. Seuss

Wishing you and your family a very blessed holiday season and a bright beginning to the new year.

For You and Yours

Holiday Travel

The skies (and airports) were filled with seasonal travel today! I'm convinced that 12/21 may be the busiest travel day of the year these days as it seemed all of Dallas and Houston huddled in the DAL and HOU airports today. Surprisingly, my flight was relatively on time and it feels great to be home for the holidays.

Ready for the Holidays

Spent the day wrapping up to-do's in prep for the holidays. :o)

Ralphie's House Rocks

It's on my wish list for '08! Let's go to Cleveland to visit the house from the iconic holiday film "A Christmas Story"! Don't kid yourself, there's even an official "Christmas Story" Chinese restaurant just blocks away. What could be better than being behind the scenes at Ralphie's with his Red Rider and the Leg Lamp!? ;o)

Cool Tool for Christmas

Thank you, Kristin, for such a fun surprise Christmas gift! This jazzy little Gorillapod is the most resourceful and flexible tripod for snapping shots anywhere and everywhere. It will absolutely come in handy in Switzerland over New Year's and for keeping this photoblog interesting. Brilliant and generous gift idea!

Tour of Lights Date

Tonight I was asked on a very sweet date to take our annual tour of Christmas lights around the neighborhoods of HP Dallas. Thanks, Matty!

Join Us to Celebrate Christmas

Christmas Lights, O' Christmas Lights ...

I l-o-v-e Christmas lights! The all-white, multi-colored, solid colored, static, blinking, mixed-up, mashed-up, any way you can string them up, Christmas lights. It ranks up there with fireworks in my world (and that pretty much tops the list). I can't get enough of these twinkly little lights' of magic.

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

What a magical Christmas tree this was to see today in front of Hancock Center. Quite a whimsical feeling from my little vantage point looking up into the zillions of lights.

View from my hotel room onto Downtown Chicago and the lake.

Busy Sidewalks

Christmas-time in Chicago is simply incredible! I get to walk to work each day this week along the Magnificent Mile through the glittering trees of light. Love it!

Smoking Kills

Are you kidding me? While walking through the Chicago airport this evening, I noticed this woman toting her Duty Free cancer sticks. What struck me was the blatant warning within the
bag announcing, Smoking Kills. Obvious observation ... wish more people took these warnings to heart.

Discoveries on Daily Candy

Daily Candy is like having your own personal assistant provide you with the scoop on arts and culture, beauty, gadgets, drinks and food, fashion, travel and more. "As useful as it is entertaining, it's like getting an e-mail from your clever, unpredictable, and totally in-the-know best friend. The one who knows about secret beauty treatments, must-have jeans, hot new restaurants -- and always shares the scoop."

An Advertising Parable For The Holidays

When I Grow Up I Wanna Work in Advertising

Annual Bivona Christmas Party

Went home this weekend for our pre-holiday party with the Italians. It's our 50th annual Bivona party where my Nana's side of our family gathers to catch up, feast on the deliciousness of our traditional Italian dishes (sauceasettis!), join in on the holiday questionnaire, and play hours of Pokeno for treasures only we could appreciate ;o)

Memory Map

I love this map! It lives in my office and is a daily reminder of where my journeys have led (outside the US) and where my friends and family live. It's a great reminder of just how much more is out there to experience! (Orange: Grad school pals, Blue: Former colleagues, Black: Family outside Texas, and Green for international travel so far.)

Grateful

Virtually There

Everyscape isn't an online world, it's the world online. This is quite the experience to check out for 3-D online tours of various cities, with views both from the streets as well as inside the stores. Talk about the world at your fingertips ...

An Easier Way To Plan Your Travel

I’ve recently discovered what I think must be one of the coolest free travel websites out there to help plan, coordinate and share travel itineraries, called Tripit. Simply shoot TripIt all your confirmation emails in no particular order, and instantly your entire trip is organized in one easy-to-read itinerary. It “automatically organizes your air, hotel and car bookings into one itinerary, adds daily weather, local maps, directions, travel guides and more.” There’s a notes space for including restaurant reviews or reservations, sightseeing options, venue maps, you name it. Bring on Switzerland!

Spin the Wheel of Lunch

Can't choose where to eat lunch? New in town and don't know where to find a good sushi bar? Pop your zip code in and the wheel fills up with a list of local eateries. Spin the wheel and let it choose for you! Warning: Always follow the advice of the wheel. Do not taunt the wheel. The wheel knows where you live.

Thanks, Robert!

Recharged the Batteries this Weekend

The Crossings in Austin

I don't remember the last time I simply slept until I couldn't sleep anymore. Today was reserved for getting as much rest, hydrotherapy, hiking, and holiday lights as we could take. :o)

Serenity in the Hills of Austin

Ahhhh, M & and I are taking a little down time this weekend to rest quietly in the nooks of The Crossings Wellness Spa on Lake Austin. (http://www.thecrossingsaustin.com/)

An Incredible Visit to Coeur d'Alene

We return to Dallas today from a really great trip spening time with Matt's family over the Thanksgiving holidays. What a truly wonderful family they are and C.d'A. is simply stunning. I hope we return soon. :o)

Playing in the Snow

Scenic Drive around Lake Coeur d'Alene

Today we took a day trip around the Lake, passing through a few tiny towns, and stopped along at Matt's old Boyscout camp, a silly photo opp in the snow, and for lunch at Gem State Cafe in St. Marie's (had a heads up that they had the best pie along the drive). :o)