First Snowfall of 2009

Photo 163-168: After digging my car out of about one foot of snow, and accelerating around a few sharp corners and consequent "wohooo" slides, I went Christmas shopping this morning. It was very quiet and beautiful outside, because New Yorkers, even after monstrous snowfalls in years past, still seem to think that a foot of snow is a lot. By the time I dug out my car (approx. 10:30 a.m.) the roads were starting to be cleared. I loved it! My little Jetta is a trooper in the snow, and LOVES, and I repeat, LOVES slippin' and slidin' around the streets - all of course with due safety considered.

After not buying one present, because all the stores I went to were closed due to "the storm of the century," I went home to grab Pedro, and proceeded to see what frostbite was like. I hate taking pictures with Pedro while I'm wearing gloves, so needless to say, the 25 degrees plus the icy wind that decided to start up just as I was leaving the building almost helped me with said frostbite. I was going to drive to the park, take great pictures, but it was so cold, I ran around my neighborhood trying to capture some great moments like little kids building snowmen, having snowball fights, building forts... I found ONE snowman, and even he looked miserable in the cold weather. I guess I could have dragged my sorry butt to Central Park, but driving an hour into the city (probably longer with the road/traffic conditions) wasn't an appealing thought.

But here are some images from around the neighborhood from our first official winter snow day. The sun came out a little bit, and I even caught a little boy doing his dad's job... shoveling the sidewalk. lol Hope everyone stayed home with lots of hot chocolate, movies and everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I can't wait for it to be Christmas!

Roman Holiday

Photo 161-162: One of my favorite movies to watch during the Christmas season (go figure) is "Roman Holiday," because I love old Hollywood especially it's stunning actors and actresses such as Audrey Hepburn. Her talent, humor, grace and dignity is something to aspire to, and no matter what role she played in her movies, no matter what age she was or what small wrinkle lined her brow, she was always a stunningly beautiful lady - in every sense of the word.

Even though I'm a little "europed-out" at the moment, and no impending trips to Italy are on the roster, I went hunting for some Italian flare, and found this.

Rain Instead of Snow

Photo 160: So I was expecting some snow to fall this weekend, and we got wet, that's about it. Even the poor leaves were bowing their little leaves with the onslought, but it's ok, I have a feeling it's going to be a white Christmas soon. And I'll be enjoying it in three different states this month, so "let it snow, let it snow..."

Drinks on the House

Photo 157 - 159: It's been quite the week, and a drink was definitely in order. So salut, prost and cheers!

Change of Scenery

Photo 154-156: It's cold with snow fast approaching, so I wanted to post a little South American cheer today. I miss my beautiful blue waves, white sandy beaches and little boutique hotel rooms overlooking both.

"Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience."

Christmas in NYC

Photo 151-153: Christmas in NYC is a special time of the year, filled with lots of lights, colors, caroling and random Santas screaming "ho ho ho" at unsuspecting tourists. You feel the chill in the air, smell the roasting chestnuts on the street corner and wait for the first fluffy snow to fall before it gets REALLY cold in January. I spent an hour or so roaming around Rockefeller Center tonight, trying to keep my hands warm, snapping a few pictures for my hungry blog and making a few couples happy as I take their picture in front of the big, red Christmas ornaments. It's been a successful, yet quick evening, and now I'm home thawing out from this chilly evening.

I am a bad, bad blogger...

Photo 148-150: So, I think I took off in November from the blogging/photography world for a number of reasons.

1. I had four business trips to go on, and it's been crazy.

2. Thanksgiving rolled around, and I helped/worked in the gallery and clothing store in Lancaster.

3. I had friends visit, and Pedro had to stay home.

4. I am exhausted!

5. Um... did I say I was exhausted?

So I just counted how many pictures I am behind, and I'm not sharing that information. It's actually too depressing, but needless to say, I will be posting two or three for the next couple of weeks... a day! I actually feel very horrible and guilty about slacking off so much. This project does mean a lot to me, and I'm on it again from now on. I actually have a pretty cool project lined up after my 365 project is over, but that will come in time.

Here are a few pictures I took from the air. It was bumpy everyone was sending up prayers, downing wine and calling their loved ones, but I, instead of panicking about the extremely turbulent plane ride/death rollercoaster in mid air, was cursing at the fact that the plane was moving so much and I couldn't get a clear shot out of the window. I tried everything, but what came out of it, is pretty cool itself.

Enjoy, and kick me when I'm slacking off again.