My 2008 End of Year Letter

Each year I write up the highlights of my year for my friends and family. I usually create this letter in Publisher, complete with photos, print and send it with Christmas cards via snail mail. I sent quite a few of them this year too (while I was in the States), but cannot possibly send them to everyone I know! (and most aren't so interested in all of this.) But, even though my blog readers pretty much know all of this, I include it in the archives here, of my year.

Ari's Adventure 2008

During my vacation to Germany and France in December of 2007, I came up with the idea that I wanted to live overseas (helped along by reading “Eat, Pray, Love”). There was something about Europe that I felt I hadn’t quite experienced yet, even with all of my travelling of the past several years (and decades, even). My family and friends enthusiastically supported what I came to call my Adventure, and after nine months of planning, I left the States on August 25th for Nice, France.

I bid adieu to Fannie Mae, my family at Western Presbyterian, my colleagues at the Washington Bach Consort, and my musical and athletic friends in Washington, and settled down in Nice. My friends Priscilla, Christiane, and Erick have provided me with a support network here in the Cote d’Azur, and served as continual councilors and translators when needed. But I am proud to have used my French to find an apartment, enroll in a gym, and find a doctor, and happy to have found a church and run my first official 10K in France. As many of you already know, I spend a good amount of time writing and posting articles to my blog (www.aribrose.blogspot.com) and travelling around Europe (so far, Paris, London, and Rome, also Brugges, Belgium and the island of Corsica, in France), and posting my pictures on the web (www.flickr.com/photos/aribrose). Also, keeping up with many of you via email! (aribrose@yahoo.com)

I can’t let the other year’s events pass without some notice: My niece, Chelsea, graduated 10th in her high school class in June, and in August became a legacy at my alma mater, Barnard College. In February, my brother-in-law Kenny marked his 50th birthday with friends (and roasted oysters!); in March, my mother passed yet another heart survivor anniversary as we celebrated her 75th birthday. In August, my Dad hosted nearly 40 of the Brose Clan at a festive reunion in Rhinebeck, NY. Musically, I had the pleasure of hearing an amazing Metropolitan Opera performance of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde with my brother Eric in NYC in March and singing my third Bach B Minor Mass with the New Dominion Chorale in April. Sister Chris, Chelsea, Mom and I spent a ladies Spa weekend in Old Williamsburg in May, and in July, my friend Becky and her two boys, Reuben and Gabriel joined me in Norfolk for a lovely beach weekend. I had a great outdoor soccer season (even made some goals!) with my friend Tagrid and the Speed Bumps, and biked my second Century (100 miler) with my friend Tom the day before I left Virginia in August.

A supporter of Barack Obama since January 2007, I listened to French radio with great pride in the early morning of November 5th to hear the news that my fellow Columbia graduate had won our presidential election. And all of Europe—and the world—cheered along with me.

In the months before I left Washington, I was, happily, on a seemingly never-ending carousel of dinners and last lunches with friends and colleagues. I was especially touched by the parties given for me by the Choir and Deacons of Western, and by my colleagues at Fannie Mae. It was a lovely way to learn what a difference you make in people’s lives.

I haven’t yet decided what my plans are for the future (other than job hunting in 2009; am counting on the financial world still needing my assistance), but I am planning to be here in Nice until June. I found an apartment in the center of the city with extra beds; am still hoping to have visitors while I am here!

With high hopes for Change in the New Year and my enthusiastic encouragement to live out your dreams, whatever they may be.

Ari/Margarita