December Update

No major trips planned the remainder of December before returning home later in the month, but consistent with this time in the US there is always a lot of fun activities that I wanted to highlight.
Weekend of December 12
Stayed in Geneva for PwC Christmas party in Geneva, which is an event that never disappoints.  The structure was a bit different than that in the US as the Swiss party is an employee only happy hour, but nevertheless always a good time.  Following day, we celebrated Brad's birthday in Lausanne going out with friends.

Weekend of December 19
During this weekend, I went to an ugly Christmas sweater party at the Johnsons with a white elephant gift exchange.  An ugly sweater did not quite make the cut of items I shipped over from the US, but I will make sure that I am prepared next year after being home for Christmas.  As part of the white elephant gift exchange, I managed to come home with a PwC laptop bag if anyone needs one.

Saturday, I went to my first Swiss Christmas market!  I took the train to Montreaux to see what the hype was about and it is a very fun experience of small shops, bands, and vin chaud.  I tried my first roasted chestnuts; not too bad.  

After returning from the Christmas market, the remainder of my weekend was packing for the trip home the following Monday, purchasing and filling half of my 2nd suitcase with Chocolate for friends, and watching a Star Wars marathon as I planned to see the new movie with my sister's family and friends when landing; yes, I'm a huge nerd!

December 21 to January 6

Returning home for the first time since moving was quite eventful; I had great aspirations of relaxing and working, but spent most of the time catching up with family and friends...

I spent the first 4 days of my trip in Minneapolis staying with my sister's family.  Highlights of the visit were going to Star Wars immediately when landing with their family, grabbing lunch with Matt Schnackenberg, making Christmas cookies, and admiring the cities' Christmas lights with their family at the city display with all lights synced to music. 

The next week was spent in Hastings and Grand Rapids where I had a great Christmas Eve dinner at the Gergens, Family Christmas at Marcs, hockey party at JKs, and got my fix on board games at Gergens.  I also picked up my new skis from home to bring back to Geneva!

The next two days were spent in Detroit staying at the Koinis residence and rendezvousing with friends over meals/drinks before New Years Eve where coincidentally both of the parties that I wanted to attend were about a 10 minute walk/2 minute drive apart.

NYE reunion of the team of legends that has won every 3v3 soccer tournament that we have entered as a team (plus Chav).

Immediately following NYE was the 3rd Annual Crew Christmas party at the Carpenters where we did Hibachi followed by another White Elephant Gift Exchange.

The last stop on my journey home was Chicago where I stayed with the
Angelettis.  While in Chicago, I had a Hastings reunion with the neighborhood group of friends, grabbed dinner with Noah/Kyle, grabbed lunches with Aimee, Lisa, and Phil, and had a work training.

I think that sums it up.....not sure it could have been more eventful, or action packed, but was definitely a lot of fun and I'm very thankful for all of the great friends and family members in my life.  I'm writing most of this on my return trip to Geneva with Gladiator in the background (this is a big deal for those of you that know me well:p).  After landing in Paris on a connecting flight; it feels comforting to hear some French ironically.

Looking forward to seeing what 2016 brings after a big 2015!