Gleðilegt Nýár...Happy New Year

To all of my friends, wherever you may be, may the end of this year find you in good health and in the company of your loved ones. To those who may be enduring tragedy and suffering on this eve of the new year, I hope and pray that you are soon visited upon by God's providence and receive that which you need to survive, regain hope and begin to rebuild your lives. For all of us, may the new year be a kinder and more gentle year than that which is departing. May each of us find something to treasure in every passing day, hold precious those moments spent with family and friends, and take the time to celebrate life itself at every opportunity...Gleðilegt Nýár og Guð blessi ykkur

[Listening to: Ég komst hingað ein - Nylon - 100% Nylon (04:27)]

Snjór!!!

Loks...Jáhúúúú!!!

[Listening to: Standing Still - Jewel - This Way (04:31)]

Let Us Be Thankful And Keep In Our Prayers Those Who Are Less Fortunate

"Asia earthquake toll still rising

The death toll from the undersea quake in southern Asia is continuing to rise relentlessly as relief teams reach outlying towns and more bodies wash up.

The known toll stands above 50,000 but estimates suggest thousands more are dead, many of them children.

CONFIRMED DEATH TOLL
Sri Lanka: 18,706 dead
Indonesia: 27,174 dead
India: 4,371 dead
Thailand: 1,516 dead
Maldives: 52 dead
Malaysia: 44 dead
Burma: 30 dead
Bangladesh: 2 dead
Somalia: 100 dead
Kenya: 1 dead
Seychelles: 3 dead
Tanzania: 10 dead"

excerpts taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4131437.stm

[Listening to: The First Cut Is the Deepest - Sheryl Crow - The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (03:47)]

La Lune Magnifique

I know that it is technically two days past being full, but I had occasion to enjoy the splendor of a winter night's full moon as I walked this evening. The night was still and the pine forest was shrouded in a veil of freezing fog, yet the earth's mantle of cold damp air was sheer enough to allow the light of the full moon to illuminate the forest trail. Reflecting off of the frost and being diffused by the fog, the moonlight was transformed into a surreal glow that encompassed all that it touched and transported one into some etheral plane where neither form no shadow exist as distinct states of being. To stroll through this scene is to walk on the edge of reality and to lose one's sense of self for a brief moment in time and to perhaps, for that same brief moment, have one's soul touch the natural world that we humans so often blindly stumble through. There is no doubt that moments such as these will surely be deducted from my time spent in heaven...O, Já!

[Listening to: My Immortal - Evanescence - Fallen (04:24)]

Merry Christmas To All...

I want to offer my sincere wish that only the very best that this season holds will find its way to your hearths and hearts on this most joyous of nights. When I count my blessings this winter's night, my first thoughts and warmest feelings are for those of you closest to me, those with whom I have shared my life, my love, my very soul; whether you are family, an old and trusted companion, a past love, or a new-found friend; whether you are close to home, travelling afar, or living in some distant land; it matters not, as once we have met, once our lives are shared, once our souls have touched; our destinies are then forever entwined and no amount of time or distance can ever truly seperate us so long as we each continue to hold one another close in our hearts. So, cherish and embrace your loved ones whom you can be with tonight, and think fondly of and hold close in your heart and dreams those with whom you cannot, for they shall be thinking and dreaming of you...and so shall I. Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless us all!

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

Gleðileg Jól!!!

To my new and treasured friends in Ísland, I wish you all of the best that Jól can bring to you and your loved ones. Y'all have enriched my life by sharing with me your language, culture, and country and have opened my eyes to allow me to look at this world from a different perspective. Birna, Elín, Kolla, and Marianna; you have been gracious enough to guide me through the painful (for you most especially;-) process of learning your language and along the way you have shared with me a small part of your lives. There is no greater gift that I could have asked for or received than friends such as you and that which you have given me...Guð blessi ykkur

[Listening to: Ást - Ragnheiður Gröndal - Ástarljóð (íslensk) (04:12)]

News Flash...Snjór Fyrir Jóladagur, Kannske

Well, it remains to be seen, but that is the latest forecast...what the heck, it is Christmas after all...you know, the season for miracles...and the Red Sox DID win the world series;-)...you gotta believe, right?...so...WAHOOO!!!

You know, perhaps the Jólasveinarnir were saving up for one grand gift to leave in my shoe...and that means that there is hope yet, Elín;-)

[Listening to: Ást - Ragnheiður Gröndal - Ástarljóð (íslensk) (04:12)]

Ich bin der Süßigkeitmann

Mom, dóttir Victoria, og ég(I am the one cooking;-)
Candy making time...and this years Pecan Pralines are superb, even if I do say so myself;-)...Ho Ho Ho

Bara Þrír Dagar Til Jóla

...and I am waiting for Bjúgnakrækir to leave me a little something in my shoe, finally!

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

Og Kannske Hljómleikar Orð Er Hæfa

Sometimes the words to a song speak so strongly to your heart,
you just know that they were written for you...
and someone!
Sometimes those words open your eyes,
and your heart,
to the truth...
and to that someone!
Sometimes!

[Listening to: The Scientist - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (05:09)]

Afdrif...Er Það Hægt

You know I had not given it any thought until this morning, but this is my old team jacket for my favorite football team...the Minnesota Vikings! I have been a dedicated fan of this team for many, many years and find it a bit ironic now, considering my recent acquaintance with my Icelandic friends...the world is often smaller than we consider and our fates more entwined than we could ever imagine.

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

Jólatré Minn

I think that this might be the best Christmas Tree yet!

...And Just Where Are Those Jólasveinarnir?

Askasleikir, Hurðaskellir, and now Skyrgámur have come to town and my shoe remains empty. Even a potato would be welcome now...well, maybe not quite yet...

[Listening to: My Immortal - Evanescence - Fallen (04:24)]

Christmas Draws Near and Still No Snow

Well, my friends in Iceland have snow, but it is in short supply here. I am ever hopeful that each new dawn will greet me with a fresh blanket of snow...perhaps someone is saving it as a Christmas gift for me! I can only hope...vertu svalur, y'all

[Listening to: Ást - Ragnheiður Gröndal - Ástarljóð (íslensk) (04:12)]

Music Meant to Soothe The Savage Breast

Birna has shared with me a couple of Icelandic tunes that are just fantastic. "Ást", sung by Ragnheiður Gröndal, is one of the most beautiful songs that I have heard, especially when one learns the meaning of the lyrics. I had not heard Icelandic spoken until this and now I know that it is not only an intriguing language, but a beautiful one as well. Birna also sent me a lullaby, "Bíum Bíum ,Bambaló", and I have found it intriguing, with a rhythmic, soothing, almost haunting melody that I have caught myself humming or whistling many times since I first heard it. What a wonderful gift she has given me in sharing a bit of the "soul" of her language with me!

[Listening to: Green Eyes - Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (03:43)]

They Are Here!!!

We have returned from our jaunt over the mountains to the airport to pick up my parents and kids. I did not realize just how much I missed them until I saw them get off of the plane! John, my son, has grown so much since this summer that it is hard to believe and I constantly worry about missing out on being as involved with his up bringing as I could have been. Victoria, my daughter, is as beautiful as ever and seeing her only makes me painfully aware of how much I miss her when we are apart. But, this is the time for celebrating being together and cherishing the memories that this Christmas will leave with us. God bless us everyone...and He has, indeed!

[Listening to: Sunrise - Norah Jones - Feels Like Home (03:21)]

Jól Is Yet Another Day Closer

Ja, only 11 days left...will I see something left by Pottasleikir (Pot Licker)...I hope so, but if not then I will still be pleased. With my family arrriving on Saturday, Christmas will be exceptionally merry this year. I also have new friends and new traditions to explore and today I heard from my friend Forrest who has been out of touch for so long that I was worried about his well being. Indeed, Jól shall be a very happy time for me and I hope also for all of my loved ones...Guð blessi ykkur

[Listening to: Can't Get You Out of My Head - Kylie Minogue - Fever (03:51)]

Bið Til Þvörusleikir

Okay, I have faith in the old "Pot Scraper". He will not fail to leave me a little something in my shoe, I just know it!...vertu svalur

[Listening to: Breathe [Album Version] - Michelle Branch - Breathe [US CD] (03:32)]

Nú Giljagaur, Stúfur Á Morgun

Well, the "Gully Imp" has been about all day and it is almost time for Itty Bitty to arrive, and still my shoe is empty. But, as Elín pointed out, at least I have not gotten a potato, so maybe I have not been so bad after all;-) There are still quite a few Jólasveinarnir yet to come out of the hills, so I am ever hopeful....vertu svalur

[Listening to: Can't Get You Out of My Head - Kylie Minogue - Fever (03:51)]

Er Ég...Með Bringi!!!

Gaman, gaman, allur gaman! Þökk, Birna!

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