Todd's 38th Birthday Celebration

Couldn't have been more perfect. Pranvera outdid herself by planning a 4 day surprise getaway weekend all the way from Kosovo. Not only were we to celebrate my bday but Valentines Day, Presidents Day and Kosovo Independence Day. And we did it in style in the 200 year old Homestead Resort 4.5 hours away in West Virginia. I had no idea where I was driving us other than to listen to our new navigation device and enjoy the wonderful, rural scenery and rolling hills and mountains we ended up driving through only to come out in the small town of Hot Springs (mostly owned by Homestead). Not only had I never heard of this place but it was beyond imagination. Almost 500 rooms built in an old colonial estate style with 7 gourmet restaurants, a 5 star spa, a natural spring heated pool, bowling alley, game rooms, afternoon tea, sitting lounge salons, equestrian center, ski resort, fishing courses, bars, movie theater, 18 hole golf course, full gym, mini shopping mall,full outdoor gun and shooting club, etc etc etc.

And it was almost full. With families. And at those prices you would never guess in a million years there was any kind recession going on. Our suite was just fantastic with a flat screen TV and double King bed. The hallways were so long with so many turns we often got lost trying to find our way back. After orienting ourselves a bit to the resort and its services we immediately put on our hiking boots and went out on our first of 4 mapped hikes in the hills surrounding the hotel. Although the weather was chilly it was sunny and we couldn't get enough of the elevation, exercise or fresh air. Fortunately hiking is one of the things we love the best and one of the only things that didn't cost extra. Luckily we recognized early on luxury has its price. Not only did you have to pay a pretty steep fee for any of the extra activities but they added a 20% service charge to it which only ended up on your final bill.

Our first night we walked into town to celebrate Vday in a rustic tavern with excellent fresh fish, soft wine and many couples and families that weren't prepared for a tie and jacket dinner in the resort. After a lovely romantic meal and I was preparing to pay the check, they asked what room number we were in... As I said earlier, the Homestead basically owned the whole town.

Our second day began with the largest all you can eat breakfast buffet I have ever seen. I was in heaven. I could choose to customize beyond the 20 trays of pre-prepared meals by waiting at either the omelet station or pancake stand (they made mickey mouse pancakes if you asked nicely--with chocolate chips too.) Pranvera watched in disbelief as I combined sweets with savory and made several trips back and forth filling my plate.

The rest of the day became a blur of a wonderful run, swim in the pool, the most relaxing spa massage and steam/sauna experience I have ever had (especially loved laying next to my wife holding hands in the Serenity room with fresh juice and soft music as we allowed to body treatments to seep into our mind body and soul. Somehow we were able to muster enough energy to pick ourselves up and head out for my bday dinner, in a neighboring town. And I was able to pick John's Steakhouse for another fantastic meal and brownie dessert. I thought I would be special and maybe receive a free piece of cake but there were at least 3 other birthday celebrations that night. I guess we all had our special day. But to cap the evening we headed up to the ski lodge and they had skiers come down the mountain with flares followed by a half hour fantastic firework show (President's Day). But I was thinking it was all for me;-)

Day three was another full hike after breakfast that lasted for hours and eventually put us back in the pool to relax and then kind of wander about the rest of the day playing games, including ping pong and then teaching her how to play pool and darts. Since most the guests had left we almost had the whole place to ourselves on our last night. Like kids we just wandered about and even watched a DVD of our choice (Guardian) in the 300 seat theatre. And our final day was not complete with having the entire dining room and 30 waiters to ourselves (till a couple other families came in) for our breakfast and then heading out for our final hike. Considering that Pranvera had been gone for over 3 weeks it was just a wonderful reunion and way to celebrate our appreciation, love and fun for one another.

OBAMANIA!!!

As everyone of you no matter where in the world watched the inauguration of the United States 44th President, a sense of hope, renewal, pride and oneness has over come this city and nation. As the Inaugural Balls unfold as I speak, I feel blessed to not have ticket for one of these events since I have been out in the largest and most joyful crowd I have ever witnessed for almost 10 hours. And I am exhausted but feel blessed.

And this is despite one of the most disappointing 4 hours I have ever had. Ironic that Pranvera, my Kosovar wife, has close personal connections with a US Congressman who gave us 2 tickets to witness today, up close. This was not to be. Not only was Pranvera in Kosovo watching the ceremony from a better vantage point than we had, we waited patiently to inch our way for 4 hours only to get up to the gate where they had collapsed multiple lines together and thousands of us ticket holders were locked outside of seeing or hearing anything. And sad enough were the tens of tens of unused security machines that the secret service were not letting people access. Sven (friend from Kosovo) and I finally gave up and could only feel that much worse all the people who not only waited several hours the day before to pick up their tickets but after countless hours of travel or flights, only to be turned away a stone throws away.

Somehow, we were able to break off from the main crowd to slide laterally and eventually get within site and sound of the Capital. To hear the powerful worlds from our new Commander in Chief along with the rest of the speakers. And here the power of millions of other people in celebration of what we have done today electing the first black American President came to light. But lasting for such a short time to leave mass confusion and many closed off exits which herded everyone through one gate and out one tunnel to finally not be nose to back for the first time in 6 hours. I would have called it a day here if not for the invitation I had to a private parade party on the 6th floor of a building directly on the parade route. And with no line or security check to fight, I was able to slide on in and enjoy plenty of food and drink with my college friend Carolyn and boyfriend Matt. And as you can see we were able to enjoy 'up close' the President and First Lady as they emerged from their car.

All and all, a day in DC, and a new dawning for America...World, we're back:-)

We are One Concert Washington DC

With 500,000 of our closest friends, my cousin Rand and I listened to everyone from Bruce Springstein to U2. A day of unbelievable energy and pride to be an American.