The Duomo by night is gorgeous. It is the 3rd largest church in the world and boasts more than 3400 statues, 135 spires, and 96 gargoyles.
Sunday I woke up early...really early given that we turned the clocks back that night. I headed out to the Castello Sforzesco and enjoyed the fall colors and smells in the gardens.
Then it was off to the Navigli district where I was plesantly surprised by the largest flea market I have ever scene. I hunted through piles of stones to get some great necklaces as well as a vintage winter coat. I know, I know..I don't need anymore winter coats, but I couldn't help myself!
I checked out of my hotel, turned in the bike, and explored the rest of the city by foot. I happened upon a park where lots of locals were watching their dogs...so I got a cappachino, sat down, and made some new four legged friends.
Later I did some window shopping on Corso MonteNapoleone where the new designer fashions are unveiled and just enjoying wantering through the streets. I am a big fan of Milan, which I really wasn't expecting.
For all the pics from Italy, click here.
I was in Genoa for a short work trip and stayed through Saturday night. Days again were filled with workshops and post-its. 
Kati, Rasmus, and I went to a great restaurant (da Rina) where the maitre d' treated us to magic shows.
On Friday night I met up with Marco, a friend of Cecila's from when she studied there for a year. He picked me up via scooter and then we walked through the historic district where Marco taught me a lot about Genoa's history...different epochs of design, unfinished churches due to lack of funding, etc.
On Saturday moring we met again and cruised up and down the coast via scooter visiting little fishing villages.
We also went to a chocolate factory on a tiny side street in Genoa. The wicker baskets stacked on the left are different chocolates.
Saturday afternoon I was off to Serravalle, an outlet mall that several collegues had told me about. My best find...a pair of black leather Salvadore Ferragamo boots...originally 430Euros...sale 77Euros!! Then it was back to Genoa to pick up my bags and catch the train to Milan.
Beforehand Cecilia and I had been at Seeker's Haven which is an outreach program my church has at local coffee shops.
Sao Paulo is...in a word...HUGE! Talk about urban sprall! The city is 70km in diameter and when you look out the window it just goes on and on and on. We stayed in an area of town called Brooklin Nuevo. The bridge outside the office was really cool...
At the office my days were filled with brown paper, post-its, affinity diagrams, root cause anaylsis, and the like.
Oh yeah...and the complimentary Friday massage at the office! 
And my nights were filled with caipirinhas, churrascarias, a futbol game at Morumbi stadium, and samba dancing. We went to a great club called Rey Castro. It felt like Havanna...not that I have ever been to Havanna, but it is what I imagine it would be like :) Cigars, palm trees, exposed brick, like band, and lots of black and white photos of Castro....my favorite is ths one of Castro, Cuban flag at half mast, and a photo of Che Guevara in the background.
For the weekend we headed to 
I was in charge of organizing the team activity on Saturday night at at Rasmus and Susanne's suggestion, I got a murder mystery...Lei'd to Rest...that's right, Hawaii theme. Everyone got really into their parts...making leis, grass skirts, and studying their parts all throughout the day. We created quite a scene in the community dining hall with several little girls wanting to play too. After the murderer was revealed, we spent the rest of the night dancing and being "somewhat" entertained by the resort entertainers, at least they kept the music going all night!
And back to CPH....
Overall it was a fantastic trip...great people, great weather, great food, lots accomplished at work, and many friendships made and strengthened. For all my photos, 
Claus and I know how much Mattias loves his frilly drinks so we made him a special cocktail!
Time for dinner!!
Next stop was Claudiu and Janina's mansion for desert! Janina had this rock-like looking thing that when you poured hot water over it, blossomed into a flower and green tea.
Our wonderful hostess also made these amazing lemon sorbets in orange skins! Dorota and I have decided that we are moving in...Janina and Claudiu can feed and house us in exchange for free childcare!
Here's to a super evening with great colleagues and friends!
Then it was off to 
Thursday night was the "main event" - a real live 
It was a night of me and the Texans (all too familiar for me!)...Julie Wareing Aldrich lives in London as does Shannon Watkins Catlettt. Leslie Overstreet was in London for a wedding (congrats Melanie!) and Thursday was her only free night! 
I should be used to this by now, but it always amazes me how quickly things fall into place when you see old friends. I had not seen Shannon since she graduated in 2000, Julie since her wedding about 4 yrs ago, David since Brooke and Lee's wedding 2 yrs ago, and Les I had seen