One Year Anniversary Getaway!!

We made it! We can't even begin to list the amount of massive changes both our lives have undergone during our first year of marriage, not to mention us trying to figure out how this marriage thing works without all these external variables. But we are happier than ever and celebrated by having absolutely no one else around us, for miles. Originally thinking we would splurge for 1 night at the 5 star Oriental Hotel in downtown DC, we both realized it was such a ridiculous cost that put us in the middle of a loud concrete city vs. taking an even lesser investment to get our own, brand new cabin in the middle of the mountains and woods for two nights no more than 2.5 hours away from DC. And it was almost everything we hoped for, except running out of water the second night and some glitches with the entertainment center.

But we had the stuff that counted. Wrap around deck, new BBQ, hammock, hot tub, and total isolation. We spent our days reading out on the deck or making day trips to the local national parks for some absolutely wonderful hiking. We had a bit of rain but nothing that kept us inside too long. Our 1 year dinner was homemade out on the BBQ and we had wine and roses to boot. The highlight for me was the photo album scrap book Pranvera made highlighting our first two year adventure together.

We realize how blessed and lucky we are having waited so long to find each other. It was worth it...

Worktrip to Haiti
It is great when the rare opportunity of combining work with pleasure actually brings you closer to family. On my most recent public private partnership training trip to the USAID Mission in Haiti, I was able to stay with and hang out with my cousin Rand who actually works for the Mission. Not only did he make sure each of our evenings was full of activity but I actual felt a warmer welcome by the Mission staff we had gone down to train.

Out trip started with a couple days of R&R enjoying the softer side out Haiti out of Port au Prince. Wonderful beaches, fresh seafood and warm weather made it feel like any Caribbean vacation. Now it was the chaos that we had to survive in order to get out of the city and the absolute lack of service at the beach hotel that brought us back to the developing island of Haiti. All and all the security situation has improved drastically since 1 year ago. Although the safety measure (armored vehicles and UN) are still in place most of this is a passive form of preparation should things flash again. The saddest thing about Haiti and the billions poured into the country in development is that they can never get over the hump. Lack of infrastructure, corruption, political will and annual hurricanes always seem to keep everything in crisis mode rather than gaining true ground.

The (limited) people we met were wonderful and fortunately the laid-back island mentality certainly whittles a softer edge to the abject poverty and over population. I was surprised to see only 10-15% of the capital city had power each night and shanty town upon shanty town had no electricity or running water (all illegal builds). Of course among the international community and the hotel, houses, restaurants and office we were shuttled back and forth between had all the pleasantries of any Western city. However, it was the connection to these points that brought you back to reality. By FAR, the worse (potholed and dirt) roads and traffic I have seen anywhere on the planet. A standard 1 hour travel time to get between any two points in the city, any time of day, minimum. It is my theory that unless something radically is done soon, the city will actually cease to move and be stuck in eternal grid-lock.

Our training was quite productive except for the small fact that there is VERY limited private sector business (outside the black market) and almost no foreign direct investment due to instability. This was bluntly brought to our attention during a private sector outreach meeting we hosted at a hotel for about 40 local businesses when they pointed out the fact that we want to help however the State Departments Travel Advisory NOT to go to Haiti is preventing any businesses from coming. Very good point I thought but the obvious reality that the UN still patrols the streets and supports the local police in any uprising isn't the safest place for people to invest (not to mention the ongoing kidnappings).

So, Haiti has a very very long way to go despite the USG's investment of $400MM annually in helping dig themselves out. Clearly a place where USAID will be in business for a long time to come.

Announcing the Arrival of...

Our new car!!! At the ripe old age of 38 I have just purchased my first new car...ever. Sure I had my most beloved Honda Accord for almost 14 years that survived countless cross country journeys and carpool among college friends. But that was originally purchased by my dad for my sister and I to share. And to say the least we got as much out of that little guy as one could hope. But alas I sold it before departing for Kosovo.

And for the past 6 months in DC we have been using the Zip rental cars or borrowing our dear friend Andrew's Honda. But it was never as convenient as having our own wheels. Even though we are only using it for fun (ie I cycle to work and Pranvera gets around mostly by walking or public transport) I knew I wanted to get something that would be fun, sexy, practical and last well into starting a family. So we narrowed it down to a small subset of cross-overs that got pretty good gas mileage and an excellent safety record. And considering the luck I had with my previous Honda I was pleased to narrow down my search to the new CR-V's.

Now the challenge wasn't actually getting a car with all the features I was looking for (we got leather loaded with all but navigation system) but rather the color. All I wanted was Green! And there were apparently only 3 on the entire east coast and no dealers actually had it. Those saying they could get it added all these extra costs and features. So being in no rush and thinking the longer I waited the better deal I could get with the economy, one dealership emailed me reversing a high price they laid out months ago to see if I was still interested. In a matter of 10 minutes they had located the color I wanted, and agreed to match the offer I had from another dealer plus adding mud flaps, pin strip and locking wheels. Problem was it was 4pm Sat afternoon and their offer was only good till 9pm that night so they could get the car on their Feb. books. Whether this was true or not we took the bait, metroed out there (1.5hours), and in reality signed for the car, got our insurance and paid before it finally rolled into the lot after being driven from 2 hours away. They detailed the car, cranked up the 8 speaker stereo system and let us slide into the heated leather seats just as the biggest snowfall in DC in years came down. And came down. And came down. At least I was able to check out the rear view mirror electric heaters and the traction control workedwhile doing donuts in the snow the next day:0

So other than checking it out each day in front of our condo and cleaning the bird poop off it, we actually had to make special weekend plans to take it out for a full road test and headed to the burbs for a nice warm Sunday hike before meeting friends of ours for dinner. A belated Bday dinner for myself and a pre-bday dinner for Pranvera. All and all we are very happy to have a 3rd member of the family and look forward to sharing our new car smell with many on you...

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.