Thursday, August 30, 2007
I can see!
Wow, vision is a good thing. I just went to pick up my first pair of glasses, and I can't believe how long I have been living in a blurry world. I went to have my first eye exam since I was a teenager back in April, and walked out with a "light" prescription for glasses primarily to help with seeing things at a distance. I sought out K's advice in choosing a pair of frames, and we went to look at them together a short time later. To say that it didn't go well would be an understatement. I was not in a good mood that day to start with, and we ended up having very different ideas about what style looked good on me. So, I walked out with nothing that day, and never really made the time to go back and try again until earlier this week. On Monday, I had a headache from reading and looking at the computer screen all day, and we also decided that we're going to Corpus Christi for the weekend so I wanted to actually be able to see the road signs for once since I'll likely be driving. I ended up going back by myself after work that day and walked out the door less than 30 minutes later having picked out a pair of frames that I know I looked at the first time around. I just went to pick them up and it's amazing what a difference they make. I can see!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Runners are crazy people...
This makes my pitiful attempt at 4-miles on TLT last night after dark seem, well, pitiful. I was enchanted by the fireflies. No lions, tigers, or bears, oh my!
Reminds me of these great running ads in the Adidas "Runners, Yeah We're Different" campaign (credit goes to Wiley for finding them).
Reminds me of these great running ads in the Adidas "Runners, Yeah We're Different" campaign (credit goes to Wiley for finding them).
Monday, August 27, 2007
I am sad and grumpy...
I am sad and grumpy
by Melissa M. Long, Ph.D.
1. When I am upset with K and we're not getting along - Other than dinner at Hyde Park Bar & Grill on Friday night and a "back-to-school" shopping trip at the mall on Saturday morning, we weren't really getting along this weekend. It all started on Saturday afternoon when he made a seemingly harmless comment about my blog of all things. Everything is fine now, but it ruined the weekend for me.
2. About my running. How did I get here? How did I get to the point where I can hardly run 5 miles? Now, granted that I went out for my 1st run in about a month pretty impulsively last night when it was still HOT and I had a margarita and chips and salsa rolling around in my stomach, but still...the first mile was easy, but that was it. Training for Austin starts this weekend...there's no way that I'm ready for that or probably even the 1/2 in Columbus in October.
3. That my clothes don't fit. I don't even want to get on the scale to see how much weight that I have gained over the past year. Ugh. This has to be a big factor that has contributed to the decline in my running performance.
4. I don't like my job anymore. I really loved my job before my promotion, so that makes it even harder to deal with. I actually started looking at job postings (all across the country) last week. I know that K and I aren't really looking to move somewhere at this point though. We love our lil' blue house.
5. How much I have to worry about money. This is an ever-present issue for me. It is so frustrating for me how little professionals in my field make compared to other disciplines. I went to school for a very long time and racked up a lot of student loans, but the salary that I will likely always make just doesn't compensate for that. I make a "decent" amount here, but I am still living paycheck to paycheck. It is stressful.
6. Friends going through tough times...a break-up, a miscarriage, panic attacks, legal difficulties, an injury.
And, that's why I'm sad and grumpy.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Lost potential...
This weekend had so much potential. K and I were looking forward to actually being at home this weekend since we have been travelling so much lately. We had been talking about several possible things to do all week. I also realized today that this was our last Saturday together before college football starts next weekend. I also was hoping that my best friend would come visit for the weekend since there was a special last-minute weekend airfare that would be a good deal for her flight. But, for various reasons, nothing about this weekend has turned out as I had hoped. I'm sitting at home alone with HBO right now. Based on today's events, tomorrow doesn't look good either other than lunch with a friend. So much for planning and hoping...
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Just another Thursday night in Austin...
What a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening! K and I went down to the 2nd Street District Birthday Bash tonight and had a nice, low-key thrifty evening. We had dinner at Austin Java by City Hall and were delighted to learn that they have buy one get one free entrees EVERY night from 6pm-8pm. We got there just in the nick of time before 8:00, so that was a nice little surprise. Then, we walked down the 2nd Street District stopping in various stores to browse and get some free goodies here and there...one place had a margarita machine, another had a keg, one store had a professional photographer taking pictures. We topped off the night with gelato at Paciugo. Oh, and we got free parking at the City Hall garage when we left. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday evening in Austin...all for under 20 bucks.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Are you ready for some football?!?!?
It's time. I know it's only NFL pre-season, but this is just the start of it. We're watching Monday night football right now...Bears vs. Colts. I have a personal connection to the Bears, so I'm somewhat okay with having this game on. But, this really is just the beginning...
K is a football fanatic, mostly college football not NFL (but he'll watch that too). K spent almost every Saturday last fall at Fox and the Hound watching the college games. I joined him there on more than one occasion. But, Fox and the Hound has closed down, so I don't know where K will be on Saturdays over the next few months. Regardless, it looks like I'm going to have my Saturdays to myself over the next couple of months. And, we'll have football on in the house on an almost daily basis for months to come.
Sigh.
K is a football fanatic, mostly college football not NFL (but he'll watch that too). K spent almost every Saturday last fall at Fox and the Hound watching the college games. I joined him there on more than one occasion. But, Fox and the Hound has closed down, so I don't know where K will be on Saturdays over the next few months. Regardless, it looks like I'm going to have my Saturdays to myself over the next couple of months. And, we'll have football on in the house on an almost daily basis for months to come.
Sigh.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Mile High City...
Today was the 2nd Sunday in a row in which we were up at 4am to catch a flight home.
It was nice to be back in Denver. I lived there during my (very difficult) internship year in 2002-2003. As soon as we arrived at DIA, I started reminiscing and trying to convince K that it would be a great place to live if we ever want a change from Austin. I don't think that I was successful.
We got in late afternoon on Friday and headed to Pam's house in Park Hill. They had just bought the place right before internship ended and I remember celebrating with everyone on our last night of internship at her new house. Since then, they have done extensive remodeling and it looks fantastic.
I always look forward to my friends meeting K for the first time (and vice versa). K and I stayed the weekend with Pam so we got to spend time with her and her family. We had a lovely dinner at home before the concert on Friday night.
The show was at the Fillmore Auditorium nearby. The Beastie's are promoting this tour as a more intimate, "gala" event in smaller venues. The crowd was definitely dressed to impress! We got there just a few minutes before the boys took the stage, and we still managed to get a great spot off to the side of the stage where I could actually see and didn't have to deal with the crowds. The set was predominantly instrumental stuff from their new and old albums. Definitely not the traditional B-Boys concert that you've been to before. They interspersed some older more punk songs with the instrumental stuff. And, they closed out with a few crowd classics, like Sabotage. That rocked.
On Saturday, K and I headed up to the mountains. K did not like the "long" drive up, especially in the compact rental car that we had. We had lunch at The Boatyard on Main Street in Frisco. We sat outside and enjoyed the cooler temps. Then, we went to Breckenridge, which is my favorite of the CO ski towns that I've been to. Unfortunately, it was raining in Breck so they didn't have the lifts open or the alpine slide (which K wanted to do). We didn't spend much time there before heading back into Denver. We capped off the trip with ice cream at Lick's, a block away from where I used to live. I needed a nap when we got back to Pam's before dinner. We went to dinner with Pam and her family at Sandra's, a Mexican restaurant.
Then, it was up at 4 this morning to catch the early flight back to Austin.
Next up, possibly Corpus Christi for Labor Day weekend!
It was nice to be back in Denver. I lived there during my (very difficult) internship year in 2002-2003. As soon as we arrived at DIA, I started reminiscing and trying to convince K that it would be a great place to live if we ever want a change from Austin. I don't think that I was successful.
We got in late afternoon on Friday and headed to Pam's house in Park Hill. They had just bought the place right before internship ended and I remember celebrating with everyone on our last night of internship at her new house. Since then, they have done extensive remodeling and it looks fantastic.
I always look forward to my friends meeting K for the first time (and vice versa). K and I stayed the weekend with Pam so we got to spend time with her and her family. We had a lovely dinner at home before the concert on Friday night.
The show was at the Fillmore Auditorium nearby. The Beastie's are promoting this tour as a more intimate, "gala" event in smaller venues. The crowd was definitely dressed to impress! We got there just a few minutes before the boys took the stage, and we still managed to get a great spot off to the side of the stage where I could actually see and didn't have to deal with the crowds. The set was predominantly instrumental stuff from their new and old albums. Definitely not the traditional B-Boys concert that you've been to before. They interspersed some older more punk songs with the instrumental stuff. And, they closed out with a few crowd classics, like Sabotage. That rocked.
On Saturday, K and I headed up to the mountains. K did not like the "long" drive up, especially in the compact rental car that we had. We had lunch at The Boatyard on Main Street in Frisco. We sat outside and enjoyed the cooler temps. Then, we went to Breckenridge, which is my favorite of the CO ski towns that I've been to. Unfortunately, it was raining in Breck so they didn't have the lifts open or the alpine slide (which K wanted to do). We didn't spend much time there before heading back into Denver. We capped off the trip with ice cream at Lick's, a block away from where I used to live. I needed a nap when we got back to Pam's before dinner. We went to dinner with Pam and her family at Sandra's, a Mexican restaurant.
Then, it was up at 4 this morning to catch the early flight back to Austin.
Next up, possibly Corpus Christi for Labor Day weekend!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Beastie Boys...
I'm home from work. I'm packed. We're getting ready to leave for the airport...
And, it STILL hasn't hit me that we're going to see the Beastie's in Denver TONIGHT!
AND, if the weather cooperates, then we may drive up to the mountains to spend the day tomorrow.
Full trip report to come when we get back on Sunday.
And, it STILL hasn't hit me that we're going to see the Beastie's in Denver TONIGHT!
AND, if the weather cooperates, then we may drive up to the mountains to spend the day tomorrow.
Full trip report to come when we get back on Sunday.
Bad dreams...
I've had several bad dreams recently. I generally don't remember my dreams, so these have stood out to me because I obviously have remembered them.
I believe that dreams are meaningful, powerful, and have therapeutic value. I took a class in dream interpretation in grad school and it definitely made me a believer. Now, I don't believe in the "cookbooks" of dream symbology. Rather, I believe that dreams are highly personal and individualized. The dreamer is really the only one who can interpret a dream. As a therapist, I can serve as a guide and help facilitate the process.
The key initial step in understanding a dream is to write it down. Last night's dream really upset me, so much so that I had to wake up K. So, I'm going to post it then try to figure out the meaning. Here goes:
One of my staff (LD) and I were going to visit another staff member (SB) who recently left the Department. The only time that we could work out to go see her was at 10pm. LD drove. We had apparently been to see SB before and so we had a general familiarity with where to go and how long it would take. We were on an isolated road, it was very dark with no streetlights to guide us, very few cars driving on this narrow road, lots of trees like in a forest. We kept driving and driving in the dark along this narrow isolated road. Finally, LD and I realized that it was taking much longer than it should (more than an hour). The road just seemed endless. We finally agreed to turn around and head back the way that we came. We wondered whether we had been on the wrong road. There was only 1 building - possibly some type of temple or Church - that served as a road marker. It was lit up and glowed a shade of orange. We passed it, but didn't see the main cross street that we were expecting to. We were hoping to get on that road since it was more of a major roadway with more light and more cars. I was getting scared. We kept driving, but it was so dark and we just didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Another thing is that the front of the car was open and there were animals running around. I told LD just to keep driving, even if we hit them. I didn't want them to attack us. After we passed the building and didn't see the other road that we were hoping to, LD called her husband. She wanted him to come get us to guide us home. While she was talking to him, the only person that I thought of calling was my dad. He'd know what to do. I'm not sure what happened next. I just know that I was really afriad of being on this road and not getting anywhere, not moving forward, not making progress, not getting where I wanted to go.
See, already as I wrote that, things are coming to me about possible meaning....
The next step is to free associate with the key images in the dream, then retell the dream using the new phrases or images that string together, and then finally to relate that to your waking life.
I'll keep you posted.
I believe that dreams are meaningful, powerful, and have therapeutic value. I took a class in dream interpretation in grad school and it definitely made me a believer. Now, I don't believe in the "cookbooks" of dream symbology. Rather, I believe that dreams are highly personal and individualized. The dreamer is really the only one who can interpret a dream. As a therapist, I can serve as a guide and help facilitate the process.
The key initial step in understanding a dream is to write it down. Last night's dream really upset me, so much so that I had to wake up K. So, I'm going to post it then try to figure out the meaning. Here goes:
One of my staff (LD) and I were going to visit another staff member (SB) who recently left the Department. The only time that we could work out to go see her was at 10pm. LD drove. We had apparently been to see SB before and so we had a general familiarity with where to go and how long it would take. We were on an isolated road, it was very dark with no streetlights to guide us, very few cars driving on this narrow road, lots of trees like in a forest. We kept driving and driving in the dark along this narrow isolated road. Finally, LD and I realized that it was taking much longer than it should (more than an hour). The road just seemed endless. We finally agreed to turn around and head back the way that we came. We wondered whether we had been on the wrong road. There was only 1 building - possibly some type of temple or Church - that served as a road marker. It was lit up and glowed a shade of orange. We passed it, but didn't see the main cross street that we were expecting to. We were hoping to get on that road since it was more of a major roadway with more light and more cars. I was getting scared. We kept driving, but it was so dark and we just didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Another thing is that the front of the car was open and there were animals running around. I told LD just to keep driving, even if we hit them. I didn't want them to attack us. After we passed the building and didn't see the other road that we were hoping to, LD called her husband. She wanted him to come get us to guide us home. While she was talking to him, the only person that I thought of calling was my dad. He'd know what to do. I'm not sure what happened next. I just know that I was really afriad of being on this road and not getting anywhere, not moving forward, not making progress, not getting where I wanted to go.
See, already as I wrote that, things are coming to me about possible meaning....
The next step is to free associate with the key images in the dream, then retell the dream using the new phrases or images that string together, and then finally to relate that to your waking life.
I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Beat down...
I'm exhausted. I want to go to sleep, but I can't. Too much on my mind.
I am feeling really beat down right now. Work has been overwhelming for months now. I just had my 1-year performance evaluation done by my supervisor right before we left for vacation and it was overwhelmingly positive...apparently I "exceed expectations." It's nice to get positive feedback and know that I am doing a good job, but I don't really have anyone at work to get emotional support from on a regular basis. It's not appropriate to vent to my staff, I don't know new guy well enough yet, and I don't want to appear incompetent to my supervisor. I am overwhelmed though...with no relief in sight. Whew, that feels good just to say that aloud...even if it is just to the computer.
I don't feel like I'm getting the support I need in my personal relationships either. As a psychologist, I think I naturally have the qualities of being nurturing, supportive, and caretaking. I'm very mindful of my boundaries with people in terms of how much of myself I put in vs. what I am getting back because I've definitely felt "used" by others in the past. As a result, I think sometimes this comes across as guarded to others who don't know me very well. I just don't feel like I'm getting built back up enough right now.
And, then I get really down on myself about my running (or, more accurately, the lack of it). It's been about 3 1/2 weeks since I have ran, I think. I haven't been a complete slacker this week since we got back from Cancun. I've been to the gym every night and had a really good workout each time (Monday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 30 minutes, swim 20 minutes; Tuesday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 45 minutes, swim 20 minutes; Wednesday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 30 minutes, swim 30 minutes).
I just feel so wiped out in every sense.
I am feeling really beat down right now. Work has been overwhelming for months now. I just had my 1-year performance evaluation done by my supervisor right before we left for vacation and it was overwhelmingly positive...apparently I "exceed expectations." It's nice to get positive feedback and know that I am doing a good job, but I don't really have anyone at work to get emotional support from on a regular basis. It's not appropriate to vent to my staff, I don't know new guy well enough yet, and I don't want to appear incompetent to my supervisor. I am overwhelmed though...with no relief in sight. Whew, that feels good just to say that aloud...even if it is just to the computer.
I don't feel like I'm getting the support I need in my personal relationships either. As a psychologist, I think I naturally have the qualities of being nurturing, supportive, and caretaking. I'm very mindful of my boundaries with people in terms of how much of myself I put in vs. what I am getting back because I've definitely felt "used" by others in the past. As a result, I think sometimes this comes across as guarded to others who don't know me very well. I just don't feel like I'm getting built back up enough right now.
And, then I get really down on myself about my running (or, more accurately, the lack of it). It's been about 3 1/2 weeks since I have ran, I think. I haven't been a complete slacker this week since we got back from Cancun. I've been to the gym every night and had a really good workout each time (Monday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 30 minutes, swim 20 minutes; Tuesday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 45 minutes, swim 20 minutes; Wednesday - weights 45 minutes, Stairmaster 30 minutes, swim 30 minutes).
I just feel so wiped out in every sense.
Monday, August 13, 2007
RW Quotes of the Day...
I get an email each day from Runner's World with a quote for the day (or daily kick in the butt). Today's was particularly relevant for me:
"One thing about racing is that it hurts. You better accept that from the beginning or you're not going anywhere."
-Bob Kennedy, U.S. 5000 record holder and first non-African under 13 minutes; has run 14 of the 15 fastest American 5000s; U.S. 2-mile and 3000-meter record holder; winner of 12 national titles; 15 number-one U.S. rankings in the 3000 and the 5000
Here's a few others that I've enjoyed:
"Fear is probably the thing that limits performance more than anything - the fear of not doing well, of what people will say. You've got to acknowledge those fears, then release them."
-Mark Allen
"There will come a point in the race, when you alone will need to decide. You will need to make a choice. Do you really want it? You will need to decide."
-Rolf Arands, a runner
"It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
"Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one."
-Dr. George Sheehan
"Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running."
-Julie Isphording, winner of the 1990 Los Angeles Marathon
"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts."
-Steve Prefontaine
"One thing about racing is that it hurts. You better accept that from the beginning or you're not going anywhere."
-Bob Kennedy, U.S. 5000 record holder and first non-African under 13 minutes; has run 14 of the 15 fastest American 5000s; U.S. 2-mile and 3000-meter record holder; winner of 12 national titles; 15 number-one U.S. rankings in the 3000 and the 5000
Here's a few others that I've enjoyed:
"Fear is probably the thing that limits performance more than anything - the fear of not doing well, of what people will say. You've got to acknowledge those fears, then release them."
-Mark Allen
"There will come a point in the race, when you alone will need to decide. You will need to make a choice. Do you really want it? You will need to decide."
-Rolf Arands, a runner
"It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
"Why race? The need to be tested, perhaps; the need to take risks; and the chance to be number one."
-Dr. George Sheehan
"Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running."
-Julie Isphording, winner of the 1990 Los Angeles Marathon
"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts."
-Steve Prefontaine
Monday morning musings...
It's HOT. Given that I just spent a week eating and drinking all I wanted without excercising and that my pants are tight right now, I was considering going for a run as I was driving to work this morning....but, then I heard on the radio that the temp is going to be at least 100 degrees with a heat index of 104-109 degrees! No, thank you. It will be the gym for me tonight instead. I've got to lose this extra weight...
Part of me wants to be a runner again...Austin is a great place to be a runner during the fall and early winter. I love running at Town Lake when the temperature finally starts to drop. I love all the excitement of the Distance Challenge races. There's also the fun Fila Relays and Silicon Labs Relay coming up. And, then of course everyone starts training in September for the Austin Marathon in February. I wish I was still the runner that I was a year ago...
Also as I was driving to work (I thought about a lot during that whopping 1-mile commute), I wished I didn't have to work. Every morning I see lots of people out walking their dogs, swimming at Big Stacy pool, running or riding their bikes, or working on their lawns. I wish I could do that. I know that I went to school for a very long time in order to pursue a career in which I would be personally fulfilled by helping others, but it's just not meaningful for me right now. I would happily walk away if I could. Maybe I'd have a part-time practice or something eventually, but for now I'd love to be a lady of leisure for awhile.
Part of me wants to be a runner again...Austin is a great place to be a runner during the fall and early winter. I love running at Town Lake when the temperature finally starts to drop. I love all the excitement of the Distance Challenge races. There's also the fun Fila Relays and Silicon Labs Relay coming up. And, then of course everyone starts training in September for the Austin Marathon in February. I wish I was still the runner that I was a year ago...
Also as I was driving to work (I thought about a lot during that whopping 1-mile commute), I wished I didn't have to work. Every morning I see lots of people out walking their dogs, swimming at Big Stacy pool, running or riding their bikes, or working on their lawns. I wish I could do that. I know that I went to school for a very long time in order to pursue a career in which I would be personally fulfilled by helping others, but it's just not meaningful for me right now. I would happily walk away if I could. Maybe I'd have a part-time practice or something eventually, but for now I'd love to be a lady of leisure for awhile.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
We're Back!
We've been up since 4am for our journey back to Austin today. I'm pretty wiped out right now, but feel like I should post since there's obviously a couple of people out there who I guess didn't realize how long we were going to be gone and were worried about us since my blog hadn't been updated and I wasn't returning emails or phone calls for the past week. We're fine...neither of us ended up in a Mexican jail.
Here's my memorable moments from the trip - our bags safely arriving in Cancun without us having to pick them up and recheck them in Mexico City when we changed planes and went through Immigration and Customs for the first time...K getting through Customs without any problems with the food that he brought into the country...seeking K out of his element with a bit of culture shock in the Mexico City airport...the view of the Carribean Sea from our window at the hotel when we woke up the next morning...the beautiful pool with blue tile on all sides...drinking pina coladas just because I could...having an afternoon snack at the sushi bar by the pool...K's willingness to try a variety of new foods...holding hands with K while snorkeling at Xel-Ha...unknowingly snorkeling into a feeding frenzy of Jack fish which I initially overheard someone say they were barracuda...snorkeling above some sort of Ray and then being afraid after K told me that is what killed the Crocodile Hunter...trying to get the perfect photo for this year's Christmas card...seeing 3 iguanas (one at Xel-Ha, one at Chichen-Itza, and one at the hotel)...spending time with K without phones or computers as distractions (if only there hadn't been a television in the room)...holding onto K's "leash" while tubing at Xel-Ha...staying at an adults-only resort...buying souvenirs for the house at a Mexican flea market downtown...paying an unknown amount of pesos for toilet paper at a bathroom at the flea market...lounging around the hotel room in a big comfy robe...getting up the courage to jump with K from a 5-foot drop at Ik-Kil...seeing a Mexican prison where I threatened to leave K on the drive to Chichen-Itza... finally getting a window seat on the bus ride to Chichen-Itza... realizing that it's really not convenient to be on your period in a foreign country without easy access to clean bathrooms when you need them...spending all day at the pool looking out at the beautiful blue sea...all the different variations of "boy in Cancun"...seeing what K looks like when he hasn't shaved in a week...wearing my sunglasses and Cabo hat...sunny skies...water that is at least 4 different shades of blue...flashing K at the pool...not feeling guilty for not running...getting food on flights...taking liquids on flights...discovering the "international" area of ABIA.
Here's K's highlights from the trip - checking into the hotel and finding out we got the room with the canopy bed that we wanted...arriving at the hotel late at night and opening the windows in our room to hear the waves from the sea...topless sunbathers...a bar on the beach, in the pool, and by the pool...afternoon siestas...unlimited pretty good food...sitting together on the beach at night enjoying the quietness and a calm, cool breeze...the sun setting in the West over the lagoon so that it is cooler in the evenings...jumping off the Cliff of Courage at Xel-Ha...seeing the big Jack fish and Ray while snorkeling...jumping from the rope swing into the water at Xel-Ha...walking the rope cross across the water at Xel-Ha...having to use biodegradable suntan lotion at Xel-Ha which didn't work very well...getting a Mayan warrior souvenir at the Mexican flea market...our poor sense of planning when we left the hotel at 10am with the intention of going shopping downtown and watching the bullfight in the late afternoon, but we were both tired and cranky and ready to head back to the hotel by 11:30am (we didn't see the bullfight)...convienent and cheap transportation on the city bus from the hotels to downtown...guys playing the guitar on the bus trying to make money...watching water polo (one time with a watermelon!) at the pool and a water balloon fight...watching the different cultural shows at the hotel (Mexican, International, and Mayan)...finally arriving at Chichen-Itza at 1:45pm when we were ready at 7:30am...persuading M to jump off the 2-foot drop at Ik-Kil...jumping from the higher ledge at Ik-Kil...the vendors at Chichen-Itza...seeing the archeology at Chichen-Itza and learning about all that went into the restoration process...getting to go up the steps at the Observatory, especially since we couldn't go up to the top of the Pyramid...seeing dancers with bottles and trays on top of their heads at the restaurant where we had lunch...seeing the Mexican cities and jungle atmosphere on the drive to Chichen-Itza...seeing Mexican Federales with machine guns outside of Cancun...having a good tour guide at Chichen-Itza...playing water sports at the hotel...beautiful sunrise sparkling on the water...being able to get US currency out of a Mexican ATM, but then not being able to get change to ride the bus back to the hotel.
We're already talking about when we can go back. Pictures to come later this week!
Here's my memorable moments from the trip - our bags safely arriving in Cancun without us having to pick them up and recheck them in Mexico City when we changed planes and went through Immigration and Customs for the first time...K getting through Customs without any problems with the food that he brought into the country...seeking K out of his element with a bit of culture shock in the Mexico City airport...the view of the Carribean Sea from our window at the hotel when we woke up the next morning...the beautiful pool with blue tile on all sides...drinking pina coladas just because I could...having an afternoon snack at the sushi bar by the pool...K's willingness to try a variety of new foods...holding hands with K while snorkeling at Xel-Ha...unknowingly snorkeling into a feeding frenzy of Jack fish which I initially overheard someone say they were barracuda...snorkeling above some sort of Ray and then being afraid after K told me that is what killed the Crocodile Hunter...trying to get the perfect photo for this year's Christmas card...seeing 3 iguanas (one at Xel-Ha, one at Chichen-Itza, and one at the hotel)...spending time with K without phones or computers as distractions (if only there hadn't been a television in the room)...holding onto K's "leash" while tubing at Xel-Ha...staying at an adults-only resort...buying souvenirs for the house at a Mexican flea market downtown...paying an unknown amount of pesos for toilet paper at a bathroom at the flea market...lounging around the hotel room in a big comfy robe...getting up the courage to jump with K from a 5-foot drop at Ik-Kil...seeing a Mexican prison where I threatened to leave K on the drive to Chichen-Itza... finally getting a window seat on the bus ride to Chichen-Itza... realizing that it's really not convenient to be on your period in a foreign country without easy access to clean bathrooms when you need them...spending all day at the pool looking out at the beautiful blue sea...all the different variations of "boy in Cancun"...seeing what K looks like when he hasn't shaved in a week...wearing my sunglasses and Cabo hat...sunny skies...water that is at least 4 different shades of blue...flashing K at the pool...not feeling guilty for not running...getting food on flights...taking liquids on flights...discovering the "international" area of ABIA.
Here's K's highlights from the trip - checking into the hotel and finding out we got the room with the canopy bed that we wanted...arriving at the hotel late at night and opening the windows in our room to hear the waves from the sea...topless sunbathers...a bar on the beach, in the pool, and by the pool...afternoon siestas...unlimited pretty good food...sitting together on the beach at night enjoying the quietness and a calm, cool breeze...the sun setting in the West over the lagoon so that it is cooler in the evenings...jumping off the Cliff of Courage at Xel-Ha...seeing the big Jack fish and Ray while snorkeling...jumping from the rope swing into the water at Xel-Ha...walking the rope cross across the water at Xel-Ha...having to use biodegradable suntan lotion at Xel-Ha which didn't work very well...getting a Mayan warrior souvenir at the Mexican flea market...our poor sense of planning when we left the hotel at 10am with the intention of going shopping downtown and watching the bullfight in the late afternoon, but we were both tired and cranky and ready to head back to the hotel by 11:30am (we didn't see the bullfight)...convienent and cheap transportation on the city bus from the hotels to downtown...guys playing the guitar on the bus trying to make money...watching water polo (one time with a watermelon!) at the pool and a water balloon fight...watching the different cultural shows at the hotel (Mexican, International, and Mayan)...finally arriving at Chichen-Itza at 1:45pm when we were ready at 7:30am...persuading M to jump off the 2-foot drop at Ik-Kil...jumping from the higher ledge at Ik-Kil...the vendors at Chichen-Itza...seeing the archeology at Chichen-Itza and learning about all that went into the restoration process...getting to go up the steps at the Observatory, especially since we couldn't go up to the top of the Pyramid...seeing dancers with bottles and trays on top of their heads at the restaurant where we had lunch...seeing the Mexican cities and jungle atmosphere on the drive to Chichen-Itza...seeing Mexican Federales with machine guns outside of Cancun...having a good tour guide at Chichen-Itza...playing water sports at the hotel...beautiful sunrise sparkling on the water...being able to get US currency out of a Mexican ATM, but then not being able to get change to ride the bus back to the hotel.
We're already talking about when we can go back. Pictures to come later this week!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Getting ready...
We spent a lot of the day today doing things to get ready for our trip (although we haven't packed anything yet). I washed clothes and cleaned the house (there's nothing worse than coming back to a dirty house after a trip). K did yard work. He made burgers for lunch (he makes a damn good burger as some of you know). Then, we went to see The Bourne Ultimatum. Not surprisingly, it was packed and I had to ask a couple of people to move down so that we could get two seats together. I love Matt Damon, especially The Bourne movies, so I couldn't imagine not liking this movie. Of course, I loved it. I took a nap when we got back before we went to a housewarming party for friends of K's. I still don't think it's really hit me that we're going to Cancun tomorrow. We have a mid-afternoon flight and have a 4-hour layover in Mexico City before finally getting into Cancun late tomorrow night. It will be a long travel day. Hope that everything goes smoothly travel-wise and that the weather is nice once we're there. And, hope that we don't end up in a Mexican jail for some reason...
31...the day after.
We celebrated my birthday with a small group of friends at The Driskill Bar last night. Thanks to those of you who spent part of your Friday night with us, and I know those of you who couldn't make it wished they had been able to be there. Here's a few pictures from the evening...
Friday, August 3, 2007
Getting dressed is hard to do...
I officially do not have a pair of jeans that fit now. Can't quite fit my "big bootie" and hips in the size 6 jeans anymore. It was a rough morning getting dressed today. And, we're about to go on vacation for a week to an all-inclusive resort - all the food and drink we can consume. Ugh.
On a positive note, I had a text message from an old friend last night wishing me a happy birthday. We had a falling out of sorts last summer (completely my fault) and haven't been in touch since. It was a nice surprise to hear from him.
On a positive note, I had a text message from an old friend last night wishing me a happy birthday. We had a falling out of sorts last summer (completely my fault) and haven't been in touch since. It was a nice surprise to hear from him.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
31...
No turning back. It's official. I'm 31.
Today is the first time that I can recall ever working on my birthday. I don't recommend it.
K and I have both had a rough week at work this week. He's trying to finish up a major project by tomorrow, and I've been dealing with the usual crap at work plus trying to get as much as I can in a good place before I'm gone for a week. I don't even want to imagine the mess that I'm going to come back to.
Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes today. It means a lot to me that you thought of me.
K and I had a lovely steak dinner at iii Forks. Yum! He has been itching to tell me about my birthday present for the past couple of days...I made him hold out until after dinner because I enjoyed the suspense. We're going to Denver to see the Beastie Boys at The Fillmore Auditorium on August 17th! What a great gift! I'm certainly excited to see the Beastie's, but I'm also excited about getting to show K around Denver. He did good. My mom said he's a keeper. Yes, yes, he is.
I got a new digital camera for my birthday from my dad because my old one has been crapping out on me lately. My dad actually gave that one to me for my birthday on the day that I moved to Denver in 2002 (wow, has it really been that long ago?!?), so it definitely served me well. The new one is super sleek and small...perfect timing to try it out next week in Cancun!
Today is the first time that I can recall ever working on my birthday. I don't recommend it.
K and I have both had a rough week at work this week. He's trying to finish up a major project by tomorrow, and I've been dealing with the usual crap at work plus trying to get as much as I can in a good place before I'm gone for a week. I don't even want to imagine the mess that I'm going to come back to.
Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes today. It means a lot to me that you thought of me.
K and I had a lovely steak dinner at iii Forks. Yum! He has been itching to tell me about my birthday present for the past couple of days...I made him hold out until after dinner because I enjoyed the suspense. We're going to Denver to see the Beastie Boys at The Fillmore Auditorium on August 17th! What a great gift! I'm certainly excited to see the Beastie's, but I'm also excited about getting to show K around Denver. He did good. My mom said he's a keeper. Yes, yes, he is.
I got a new digital camera for my birthday from my dad because my old one has been crapping out on me lately. My dad actually gave that one to me for my birthday on the day that I moved to Denver in 2002 (wow, has it really been that long ago?!?), so it definitely served me well. The new one is super sleek and small...perfect timing to try it out next week in Cancun!
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