I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills, I love the fireflys...

Remember that great song? Here's the 2008 remix. I love the world too!

I have a pretty cool brother

Summit
Originally uploaded by andyghatch

Just a few weeks ago my twin brother Andy took a 3 week solo trip in South Africa. I really admire the sense of spontaneity and adventure that impelled him to go. He also has a good eye for photographic composition. Take a look at the photos and video from his trip!

Ally and Ronnie's Wedding

Ally's Wedding Week

One of my bestest friends from college Ally (whom you may remember as the one who I also visited in China a year ago) married Ron Mona this past Saturday, June 28th. I was so grateful to be able to take a whole work week and a day off last week to be there with them in sunny San Diego, Cali.

As some may know, spending the week before the wedding with the bride is never without activity and excitement. And because Ally is marrying into a Samoan family, the week felt more like a cultural exchange experience than a vacation. Here are some highlights from the week:

1. Sleeping 3 out of 7 nights on a hard floors of small rooms

2. Learning to sew on a machine in 5 minutes, falling in love with a surger sewing machine then spending at least 12 hours doing my contribution to make 40 white table cloths.

3. Wishing I could dance the Taulunga (Samoan money dance traditionally done by the bride or birthday girl)

4. Basking in the San Diego sun and swimming off the private Coronado Naval base beach (hooray for Ally's family having a discount at the Navy Lodge!)

5. Getting pampered at the spa.

6. Okay, so I'm not a big fan of Hummers destroying our environment but I had a heck of a good time riding in a limo one with 17 other people to take wedding photos at Balboa Park.

7. Feeling 12 again and giggling with 6 girlfriends into the wee hours of the morning every night of the week.

Tango bellísimo

I went to the DC tango marathon 2008 held at Trinity College in downtown DC a few weekends ago. 11pm Saturday night to 5:30am Sunday morning I danced.
I had the great privilege of seeing Sigrid Van Tilbeurgh & Mazen Kiwan, the best tangueros I've ever seen, dance. Check out the following videos to get a taste of ridiculously good looking tango. They are both the same piece but done at different times.

DC Tango Marathon:




Performed in the fall: