I've decided (with Nat) to give up drinking alcohol for the month of October. I may binge tonight. ;) We're both in 'lose weight!' modes and I agree with her that lessening beer's hold on my social life will probably allow me to lose 10 lbs. I've also decided to begin this popular running routine and find my pace again. When Kelly R was in DC, we ran and played tennis several times a week. I MISS THAT. And I miss her. It's time to find her in NC, I think!
I just got through a book that P recommended to me. I hated it. Don't read it. I wanted to like it sooooo bad, because P loved it. I just couldn't. And now I have no idea how to tell him how much I hated it.
I'm trying to get back into the daily posting habit so I can win prizes! Yes folks, NaBloPoMo is back in Nov, and I am ready to take part.
I have terrible wanderlust. I just read a blog by a couple who spent 12 months traveling around the world. I wanna!!!!
It seems as though one of my wards may have pink eye. No work tomorrow morning. Sigh. I'm thankful for the morning off, but gosh I need money to go gallivanting around the world.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
A Pond Away
Happy Birthday to my best friend. I've been missing him terribly since I've been back from vacation. I wish I were there, he were here, or we both were neither here nor there (but together enjoying a new lovely place).
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Random Thoughts #39832970
I think H&B have these. I'm so curious! And they're Earth-friendly, too?!?
I had fast food tonight- 'red' meat at that. I don't feel so good.
There's $378 RT tics to London in January, and $100/week accommodations for a volunteer opportunity in Guatemala. Hmmm. Which way does she go? Which way does she go?
My good friend Jules is headed to the Peace Corps in the next 6 months. Whoa! I would loooooove to go. Guess what you need to go into the PC? A Degree. Sigh. Off to Idealst.org to find something else, I guess. If only I were more knowledgeable with comps... I could go into the GeekCorps. (Really I just like saying the name).
Night night!
I had fast food tonight- 'red' meat at that. I don't feel so good.
There's $378 RT tics to London in January, and $100/week accommodations for a volunteer opportunity in Guatemala. Hmmm. Which way does she go? Which way does she go?
My good friend Jules is headed to the Peace Corps in the next 6 months. Whoa! I would loooooove to go. Guess what you need to go into the PC? A Degree. Sigh. Off to Idealst.org to find something else, I guess. If only I were more knowledgeable with comps... I could go into the GeekCorps. (Really I just like saying the name).
Night night!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
From the Travel Journal
9/3, 9pm
I am ridiculously excited. I have an entire 3 seat row to myself for 5+ hours. I have a good book. I have eh tv. heh heh. I am going to see Paulo and Marcella in about 8 hours. :) And, oh, yeah- that whole Greece thing too! Wee!
Playing on my inflight stereo I just heard: "Don't you wish your girlfriend was Hot like me" and I start to crack up. Hehe!
8am
Another row to myself. Man! Can I travel like this all the time, please? Sunrise was lovely, as always, from a plane.
Can't wait to see Paulo and Marcella and Erin and maybe even Bibby. That would be AWESOME.
9/5, 230am
Waiting for flight (to Athens via Zurich, take off at 6am). Didn't get to see Erin, which was a little disappointing. Ready to be able to sleep in a bed (evening of 9/2 was my last good sleep). THAT will be nice.
9/6, 830am
Long day yesterday. Went up to see Monument of Filopappos. Lovely City/Acropolis views. Felt so young and so old at the same time. I can't wait for our second day, towards the end (plans changed, saw it the very next day), to be able to see the rest of Athens. Slept VERY well last night. Was so tired that I forgot to call Dad for his birthday. Bad daughter.
9/8, 730am
We got to go to the Acropolis yesterday. was really beautiful- breathtaking. Again I felt so young and so old at the same time.
The National Archeology Museum was also lovely. I called Dad there, it was so good to talk to him. For the first time in my life, I had never felt further away from him than at that point. It wasn't just the distance; it was that he sounded old, I maybe sounded old too! I don't know, It was bittersweet. My fav parts of the museum were the jewelry, the Thera Frescos and sculptures.
We walked FOREVER to find dinner, finally at a seafood restaurant near Piraeus. The sardines were really good, too much really. The sesame encrusted feta was really the high point. I had Ouzo- 1 glass with lots of ice. Not terribly bad, but I prefer wine. Actually I prefer anything non-licorice, I imagine. Smoked a cigarette last night. BOUGHT a pack of cigs last night. I can't imagine how bad they will make me feel later.
We're on the boat right now. On the ferry going to Naxos. It was much more than I expected- 32Euro rather than 12 or 14. I have no idea about how much I have or whether or not I should be more careful with my money. 22 for rooms, 32 for ferry, at least 15-20 for food at night.
I really want to do yoga in the morning on the beach. That would be lovely. It would make me feel better. I'm annoyed and I don't like it and I just want to get to the islands. I can almost say I wish the trip were finished. I wish I had a nice relaxed demeanor and pretty souvenirs and a great tan. Loads of sleep would be nice. But I hate this feeling of not knowing how much money I have or dealing with mood swings that aren't my own, or the constant mothering, We do the EVERY time, I can't say that it's my favorite way to spend time with my best friend (P ended up sitting several rows away from M and I. It lead to crankiness for everyone, mostly P and I who wanted to spend the time catching up).
1030pm?
Spent 1/2 day on a boat and 1/2 day on the beach. I Don't feel like I got any color today but eventually in the next 6 days I hope to get rid of the awful farmer's tan I acquired in Athens at the Acropolis. We had a really good dinner at the taverna near the studio. The studio is really nice. I'm stuck between being very happy that its so cheap for so pretty of a place and being angry b/c the circumstances that it was found was embarrassing for me. I was called RUDE by a Greek woman. Eh.
Great taverna- wonderful food, tons of sweet, but unobtrusive cats, and cute child-labor. I'm guessing siblings or cousins- arguing who gets to clear off the dishes first/best or who gets to run food to the kitchen from the grill.
The hostess, Koala (sounds like koola) was kind enough to give us yummy white wine that she? had made- it definitely came from the Island. It had a different dry, then sweet aftertaste. It was a nice finish to the meal. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it w/ the meal. Mmmmm.
9/9, 4pm
No change really with attitudes (P spent the day before by himself to sulk, which pissed me off even more). Plake is just as lovely as Ag. Prokopis. I feel like I am getting very burnt.
I'm ready to go to Santorini. I'm ready for the change in scenery.
9/10, 10pm-ish
Things are much better in Santorini. Better moods, same cheap price for beds: 10Euro/night. Fant-a-bulous. We're waiting for the sunset in Oia.
The house owner, Kostas, is abrupt and a little rude. M doesn't like him, P and I could care less. Even though I think we've had the rough patch the past couple days, its been hard to travel w/ M: Always hungry, tired, or needing to urinate. Sigh.
The clouds, the hills, the islands, the dark sea, the lights from the little white houses, the cliffs. Lovely Lovely Lovely.
9/14, 8am
Anxious. The flight from Switzerland to London was not fun. I think I have really bad congestion or an ear infection- the pressure from the descent made me cry b/c of the pain.
9pm
On the way home. Security was a breeze. Am tired. Had about 3 hours total sleep in the past 2 1/2 days. Sigh.
Random notes:
Greek drivers- WHOA! Crazy!
Lovely Views. Per Tony, our hotelier in Athens: 'Santorini seems unreal b/c its so beautiful. It's like heaven'. Yes, Yes it was.
Beautiful town of Zurich. Swans, lights, cranky best friend.
Greek taxis- took one, was WONDERFUL (Greece known for mean/dishonest taxi drivers).
General thoughts on Greek Hospitality: Wonderful. If you took more than a second to find small change for a bill or grocery item, they would wave you off... "No matter! This is plenty!" Always being given free stuff: Wine, beer, lighter...
No flushing paper! I understand it, but it doesn't help 28 years of routine. One or two may have gone down. Sorry old Greek pipes.
I am ridiculously excited. I have an entire 3 seat row to myself for 5+ hours. I have a good book. I have eh tv. heh heh. I am going to see Paulo and Marcella in about 8 hours. :) And, oh, yeah- that whole Greece thing too! Wee!
Playing on my inflight stereo I just heard: "Don't you wish your girlfriend was Hot like me" and I start to crack up. Hehe!
8am
Another row to myself. Man! Can I travel like this all the time, please? Sunrise was lovely, as always, from a plane.
Can't wait to see Paulo and Marcella and Erin and maybe even Bibby. That would be AWESOME.
9/5, 230am
Waiting for flight (to Athens via Zurich, take off at 6am). Didn't get to see Erin, which was a little disappointing. Ready to be able to sleep in a bed (evening of 9/2 was my last good sleep). THAT will be nice.
9/6, 830am
Long day yesterday. Went up to see Monument of Filopappos. Lovely City/Acropolis views. Felt so young and so old at the same time. I can't wait for our second day, towards the end (plans changed, saw it the very next day), to be able to see the rest of Athens. Slept VERY well last night. Was so tired that I forgot to call Dad for his birthday. Bad daughter.
9/8, 730am
We got to go to the Acropolis yesterday. was really beautiful- breathtaking. Again I felt so young and so old at the same time.
The National Archeology Museum was also lovely. I called Dad there, it was so good to talk to him. For the first time in my life, I had never felt further away from him than at that point. It wasn't just the distance; it was that he sounded old, I maybe sounded old too! I don't know, It was bittersweet. My fav parts of the museum were the jewelry, the Thera Frescos and sculptures.
We walked FOREVER to find dinner, finally at a seafood restaurant near Piraeus. The sardines were really good, too much really. The sesame encrusted feta was really the high point. I had Ouzo- 1 glass with lots of ice. Not terribly bad, but I prefer wine. Actually I prefer anything non-licorice, I imagine. Smoked a cigarette last night. BOUGHT a pack of cigs last night. I can't imagine how bad they will make me feel later.
We're on the boat right now. On the ferry going to Naxos. It was much more than I expected- 32Euro rather than 12 or 14. I have no idea about how much I have or whether or not I should be more careful with my money. 22 for rooms, 32 for ferry, at least 15-20 for food at night.
I really want to do yoga in the morning on the beach. That would be lovely. It would make me feel better. I'm annoyed and I don't like it and I just want to get to the islands. I can almost say I wish the trip were finished. I wish I had a nice relaxed demeanor and pretty souvenirs and a great tan. Loads of sleep would be nice. But I hate this feeling of not knowing how much money I have or dealing with mood swings that aren't my own, or the constant mothering, We do the EVERY time, I can't say that it's my favorite way to spend time with my best friend (P ended up sitting several rows away from M and I. It lead to crankiness for everyone, mostly P and I who wanted to spend the time catching up).
1030pm?
Spent 1/2 day on a boat and 1/2 day on the beach. I Don't feel like I got any color today but eventually in the next 6 days I hope to get rid of the awful farmer's tan I acquired in Athens at the Acropolis. We had a really good dinner at the taverna near the studio. The studio is really nice. I'm stuck between being very happy that its so cheap for so pretty of a place and being angry b/c the circumstances that it was found was embarrassing for me. I was called RUDE by a Greek woman. Eh.
Great taverna- wonderful food, tons of sweet, but unobtrusive cats, and cute child-labor. I'm guessing siblings or cousins- arguing who gets to clear off the dishes first/best or who gets to run food to the kitchen from the grill.
The hostess, Koala (sounds like koola) was kind enough to give us yummy white wine that she? had made- it definitely came from the Island. It had a different dry, then sweet aftertaste. It was a nice finish to the meal. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it w/ the meal. Mmmmm.
9/9, 4pm
No change really with attitudes (P spent the day before by himself to sulk, which pissed me off even more). Plake is just as lovely as Ag. Prokopis. I feel like I am getting very burnt.
I'm ready to go to Santorini. I'm ready for the change in scenery.
9/10, 10pm-ish
Things are much better in Santorini. Better moods, same cheap price for beds: 10Euro/night. Fant-a-bulous. We're waiting for the sunset in Oia.
The house owner, Kostas, is abrupt and a little rude. M doesn't like him, P and I could care less. Even though I think we've had the rough patch the past couple days, its been hard to travel w/ M: Always hungry, tired, or needing to urinate. Sigh.
The clouds, the hills, the islands, the dark sea, the lights from the little white houses, the cliffs. Lovely Lovely Lovely.
9/14, 8am
Anxious. The flight from Switzerland to London was not fun. I think I have really bad congestion or an ear infection- the pressure from the descent made me cry b/c of the pain.
9pm
On the way home. Security was a breeze. Am tired. Had about 3 hours total sleep in the past 2 1/2 days. Sigh.
Random notes:
Greek drivers- WHOA! Crazy!
Lovely Views. Per Tony, our hotelier in Athens: 'Santorini seems unreal b/c its so beautiful. It's like heaven'. Yes, Yes it was.
Beautiful town of Zurich. Swans, lights, cranky best friend.
Greek taxis- took one, was WONDERFUL (Greece known for mean/dishonest taxi drivers).
General thoughts on Greek Hospitality: Wonderful. If you took more than a second to find small change for a bill or grocery item, they would wave you off... "No matter! This is plenty!" Always being given free stuff: Wine, beer, lighter...
No flushing paper! I understand it, but it doesn't help 28 years of routine. One or two may have gone down. Sorry old Greek pipes.
Friday, September 21, 2007
I know, I know
It is taking me forever to even write something little about my trip. Here are pictures, by the way.
Haha! That's your post! See ya later!
Ok. Ok. Just kidding. I'm really trying to form coherent sentences. About the trip, about almost staying to hang out with Greek hoteliers so I can have feta and hummus and olives every day of my life, about how I was only so-so with olives before I went and now I am a salty olive freak, about petty fights with people I love, about returning to work, about 5 days of jet lag that I feel I have finally wrestled to the ground, and about my next couple trips. Yes, I said couple.*
Really the only thing in my head right now is this Schmutzie blog and that I just found out that Elisabeth Hasselback's claim to fame was Survivor**. Huh. Anyway!
I promise to have more later, maybe tonight? Wink wink***.
*Puh-lease, Don't you know that if you give me a taste of travel after more than a year that I will whine like a baby until I get more?
**Ms. Kim, why didn't you tell me that when we had the discussion about the ODonnell-Hass Feud??? Gosh.
***No hot date: just Bee, me, and Trader Joe. Mmmmm.
Haha! That's your post! See ya later!
Ok. Ok. Just kidding. I'm really trying to form coherent sentences. About the trip, about almost staying to hang out with Greek hoteliers so I can have feta and hummus and olives every day of my life, about how I was only so-so with olives before I went and now I am a salty olive freak, about petty fights with people I love, about returning to work, about 5 days of jet lag that I feel I have finally wrestled to the ground, and about my next couple trips. Yes, I said couple.*
Really the only thing in my head right now is this Schmutzie blog and that I just found out that Elisabeth Hasselback's claim to fame was Survivor**. Huh. Anyway!
I promise to have more later, maybe tonight? Wink wink***.
*Puh-lease, Don't you know that if you give me a taste of travel after more than a year that I will whine like a baby until I get more?
**Ms. Kim, why didn't you tell me that when we had the discussion about the ODonnell-Hass Feud??? Gosh.
***No hot date: just Bee, me, and Trader Joe. Mmmmm.
Friday, September 14, 2007
316
First, your moment of zen:
Santorini Island in Greece. We stayed there 3 days. In the middle, you will notice a huge black island. It's a volcano. Dude, I went there.
The number in the title? Blogs I get to read tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And of course, they'll add 10 daily to that list. Why do I have GoogleReader? OH! Because I want to know what's going on in the blogosphere.
I am just getting home. I've not slept more than 4 hours in the past 3 days, nor have I showered since Wed morning around 7am. Yes, the smell is coming from me.
Good night.
Santorini Island in Greece. We stayed there 3 days. In the middle, you will notice a huge black island. It's a volcano. Dude, I went there. The number in the title? Blogs I get to read tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And of course, they'll add 10 daily to that list. Why do I have GoogleReader? OH! Because I want to know what's going on in the blogosphere.
I am just getting home. I've not slept more than 4 hours in the past 3 days, nor have I showered since Wed morning around 7am. Yes, the smell is coming from me.
Good night.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Yas-su!!!!
Ok, It's not in Greek script, but it is Greek.
We're about to leave Santorini, nearing the end of our Greek trip. It was LOVELY. Athens, Naxos, Satorini. No Iceland for me. :( But we do have a 12 hour stop in Zurich so maybe all will work out anyway. I miss home. But I could definitely spend a month or two here.
Smooches!
We're about to leave Santorini, nearing the end of our Greek trip. It was LOVELY. Athens, Naxos, Satorini. No Iceland for me. :( But we do have a 12 hour stop in Zurich so maybe all will work out anyway. I miss home. But I could definitely spend a month or two here.
Smooches!
Monday, September 03, 2007
I'm Leaving on Jet Plane
And I'm not quite sure when I'll be back again. Seriously. Maybe the 14th, maybe the 16th.
I'm packed, almost ready to head for the metro to begin my long trek across the pond.
I'm really excited to leave. I spent all of last night packing and getting ready. Thank God for the evening flight so I could sleep and sleep and sleep until 1pm this afternoon.
I had a shitty morning and a wonderful afternoon yesterday. I was able to have lunch and mimosas with two of my favorite ladies to make up for the crap-tastic morning. Sigh.
Greece! Here I come!
I'm packed, almost ready to head for the metro to begin my long trek across the pond.
I'm really excited to leave. I spent all of last night packing and getting ready. Thank God for the evening flight so I could sleep and sleep and sleep until 1pm this afternoon.
I had a shitty morning and a wonderful afternoon yesterday. I was able to have lunch and mimosas with two of my favorite ladies to make up for the crap-tastic morning. Sigh.
Greece! Here I come!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Not my best day
EB is dating a 17 year old hostess. Normally I have a pang of jealousy and then I could care less who he gives his attention to. Not this time, strangely enough. Maybe because his lack of sense in dating someone 7 years younger than him, who is underage (and is the same age as my sister, and ew ew ew ew ew ew ew)?
MC has decided not to do final decisions for their Associates Nursing program until Nov. Huh. NOVEMBER????? But, shit, you have to apply by JULY. I don't understand. I still want to run away. Blah blah blah blah.
I made less than $10/hour for my 12 hour shift today. Which FUCKING SUCKS. And proceeded to spend $40 on a fillet. My tummy doesn't feel very good. I don't want to work tomorrow, especially since I know there are too many people on and I won't be able to make money.
I don't feel so good about myself tonight. I'm worried it will follow me to Greece. I need a PepTalk. Asap.
MC has decided not to do final decisions for their Associates Nursing program until Nov. Huh. NOVEMBER????? But, shit, you have to apply by JULY. I don't understand. I still want to run away. Blah blah blah blah.
I made less than $10/hour for my 12 hour shift today. Which FUCKING SUCKS. And proceeded to spend $40 on a fillet. My tummy doesn't feel very good. I don't want to work tomorrow, especially since I know there are too many people on and I won't be able to make money.
I don't feel so good about myself tonight. I'm worried it will follow me to Greece. I need a PepTalk. Asap.
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