A Very Snowy Christmas

I fell off the map for a few weeks, and it was glorious. The last few months have brought a routine - something I hadn't had in a long time! With it came a much more mellow scene. That is, my life slipped in terms of excitement. Every waking moment went toward school, gym, swim or eating. Not exactly the flashy style I was used to. That meant less to write about, as I tend not to veer into the terribly personal if I can help it. Still, politics offered a few opportunities for editorializing, commenting and posting videos, articles, etc. that caught my eye. As for me, however, it just wasn't all that spectacular. As the new year approaches the only "resolution" I'll be making is to write more - at least a few times a week. It makes me feel good and I get to think about something. As travels won't be in the cards until at least March, I'll try and focus on political issues, academic thoughts, pertinent life events and London "happenings."

As for right now, I'm just going to post some photos from my Very Merry, Very Funny, Very Wonderful Christmas in Utah. The Mom, the Dad, the Sister, the Brother, the Nana, the Papa, the Nan and the Steve were all there, not to mention the rest of the Christensen gang (including the newest member - Calli - who was born just days before Christmas). Sorry kid, your doomed to "celebrate on Christmas" and "joint presents" for the rest of your life! :-) We basically spent nine days having snowball fights, sledding, snowboarding, playing games, opening gifts, eating, eating and eating. It was relaxing, enjoyable and filling over and over again! Here's a few Kodak Moments:

Holiday Parties LIKE WHOA

Tis' the season to feast, apparently. Particularly in the UK. It seems that everyone is offering up free food to sad students. From happy hour drinks sponsored by brilliant professors to swim team dinners and Rotary celebrations, It feels like I'm chowing down on some massive masterpiece of a meal at least twice a week, and I'm not complaining!

One of the grandest - and most festive - of them all was hosted by the lovely founders of PeaceChild and my now good friends David, Rosey & Eirwen (not to mention the other 16 phenomenal teachers, voluteers, employees, family members and riff-raff who were there).


They hosted quite a to-do at the PeaceChild White House outside London and invited me to "crash the party." The grounds are actually home to not only David and Rosey, but to Rosey's mother Eirwen and the constant flow of young people who effectively lead the organization. They live down the path in what can only be described as a more luxurious version of camp barracks, complete with kitchen, terrace, beds, bathrooms, TV and the like. I've never seen anything like it.


We spent the evening eating (obviously), singing carols and playing games with the fireplace crackling as it kept us toasty warm. In addition to the photos, I was also able to capture Rosey telling the "Holiday Mad Lib," which involves everyone in attendance who each offer up adjectives to make the story borderline hilarious. Enjoy!



More holiday parties coming soon. There are just so many!

--

Kyle Taylor

Christmas With The Griswalds...I Mean Taylors

It might come as no surprise that my family is large, loud and always right. That is, each member is ALWAYS right, which isn't possible because I am always right. When the holidays roll around I think of three things: Christmas lights, christmas food and 19 people all opening presents at the exact same time in my grandparent's living room. This year was no exception to all of the above. I know the Taylors are overbearing. I know the Taylors are very "vocal." I know the Taylors can, at times, be a lot to handle. Still, we're more fun than any family I've ever met, and it was nice to be at home this year (after all, I was in Shanghai last year). Here's a few photos cataloging the "adventure:"

My Nana, the QUEEN of Christmas (and all holiday things kitsch - note the hat):


My Mom, this year's Princess of Presents. We was good to her:


Payne Stewart, I Mean My Dad, King Of "To Me, From Me." He Funds Most of The Holiday Operation:


My Mom Holding My Dad's "Favorite" Gift - Underwear That Doubles As A Tent For Two:


The Aftermath of a Taylor Christmas (Don't Worry, We Recycled All The Paper):


All 19 Of Us - Now That's Pretty Cool!

Christmas In SoCal & Driving Lessons

It's Christmas in Southern California, which means all 19 family members opening gifts simultaneously in a rather small living room, matching sweaters, limited amounts of corn because Uncle Michael bogarts the serving dish and open season on southern California highways. Nana sent this my way. Enjoy, and pay particularly close attention to numbers 5 and 6. To those of you who have visited me here, all I have to say is, "I told you so." Happy Holidays!


Things To Know Before Driving In LA:

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is LA.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On the 105 or 110, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy".

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. L A has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Malibu , SUV-driving, cell phone talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.


5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of L A and Orange counties. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats barrels, cones, celebs, rubberneckers, shredded tires, cell phoners, deer and other road kill, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Map quest does not work here, none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do and all the freeway off and on ramps are moved each night.


10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. Do not try to estimate travel time, just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday and right after church on Sunday or Temple on Saturday for anything on Monday morning.