Monday, December 31, 2007

2007, what a year!

Well it is the last day of the year and here are some highlights:

-I am still with the best BF ever, and love him more each day.
-We moved into our place. We are still unpacking but we have spent this past week cleaning and organizing and now our place looks better than ever.
-I got into a car accident and ended up with a new car by default
-I had emergency surgery
-My company was sold and I was one of a few people that they wanted
-My brother got married
-I turned 31
-We got a cat
-I finished my MBA!
-My uncle passed away
-MR's mother and dog passed away
-We had a great vacation

My greatest 2007 achievement
-Finishing my MBA

My favorite memory
-The random memories with the BF, looking at cats, eating out, movies and trips

My best purchase of 2007
-The car, not desired but needed
-My haircut

Biggest change of 2007
-Living with the BF

Daily favorites:
-Getting kitty kisses and nuzzling with the dog. BF cuddles

Favorite new hobby:
-Cooking

Favorite old hobby
-I want to say painting but I have not done that in ages so reading books that I want to read

Newest places visited
-Mexico, Belize and Key West

For 2008 my goals or expectations are:
-School debt
-Still mumbling how I have dog and cat hair on everything that I own
-A new job
-More time in the gym
-More cooking classes
-another great vacation
-reading more books
-More time and laughs with the BF and the fams.

I hope you have a great new year!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The day after

Well I think that the salt and sugar coma from yesterday has worn off but I am at work! So I did not really sleep if off.

We had a very nice day yesterday. The BF woke me up at 10 to open our gifts, he is such a rock start, I wanted the Kitchen Aid Artisan but he got me, the Professional. It is the Rolls Royce of mixers. I am so excited, I think my words were "I can make the bread!" I can't wait to use it and am planning on using it in the next day or so!


He also got me some nice gift cards that I wanted. I got him some Xbox games and attachments that I still don't know what they are for, cuff links, a pair of pants (breakaway for the gym) and a cook book My parents also spoiled us with a much needed stock pot and other goodies.

After our lazy morning we headed to his sister's house to celebrate with the family and her kids. So it was a nice fun afternoon with tons of food!

The downside is that I am at work, the upside is that it is my LAST day of work this year so it is just a few more hours to go!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Twas'

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,W
hile visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.A
way to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,B
ut a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;A
bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Vacation update

Ok, here is what I promised our vacation re-cap

We arrived in FL a day before our cruise and checked into our hotel. We had a great uneventful flight and left 4 degree weather behind us. We just hung out at the hotel, rested, ate watched tv and took a dip in the hot tub.

We boarded our ship the next day:


We got there early and were able to explore and get a bite to eat. Then we had our spa treatment. We got our hands and feet massaged, a facial, eye treatment and wash and style. It was a great way to start our holiday.

The first few hours were interesting. Most of the cruisers were older and I joked that we had half of the Boca retirement community. There were "Members Only" jackets all over the place. I mean all over the place, I have not seen so many jackets in one place other than the cheesy 80s movies!

At dinner we were seated next to Blondie and her boyfriend "punch me face" (PMF). The VF called him that because he had such a frat boy attitude and look. He looks like when he gets drunk he gets in a brawl. She was blond and you could tell that she had self esteem issues. Throughout all our meals next to them you could tell that they are not used to good food. When they got a sorbet at one meal they looked at it and could not quite figure out what it was and poked at it They saw us eat it and then they figured it out. They complained at every meal, either our food was out sooner than theirs and they ordered sooner, they did not like the salad so they ordered a new one, he drank at least 3 beers a meal and one night ordered and ate two steaks. It was fun to watch

The next day we arrived in Key West:



It was a great port. We walked around the area and did some shopping. We found our way to the Hemingway house and got to take a tour and pet some six toed cats:



Since we had to be back at the ship early we had plenty of things to do as we headed to Mexico. So we played bingo where the BF won a game. We played a few games in the casino, wandered around the ship, and sat by the pool. It was a hard life! We got all pretty'ed up and we had our formal night at the dining room.

The next morning we woke up off the coast of Mexico. We took our rough and very stomach turning tender to Playa de Carmen and off to the Mayan Tulum ruins that were left by the Mayans. On our way we had to stop for a bathroom for the obligatory break that happens to be in a store where "if you want you can buy a few mementos". We did so much walking and it was such a beautiful site off the Caribbean sea, there were some iguanas hanging out as well.





After the tour we went to the ferry to go to Cozumel. I was unimpressed. We took another tender back to the ship. When we got back we were so tired. I mean tired, we both fell asleep before dinner and then got up for dinner and our daily stroll.

The next morning, we were in Belize and our task for the day was to sit on a beach in a private rustic island:







Then we headed to the port for more shopping and wandering. That evening we departed for Florida again. We spent the next day cruising and had our seaweed massage. It was a day of pure relaxation and pool sitting.

The next day we headed home. Our experience was interesting at the airport, we got there super early (like 8 hours early) and had to wait until 4 hours before our flight to check our suitcases in so we got to people watch. So then 12 or so Russians that arrived, they were older and we interesting. One was obviously the mama and she had a walker with a seat on it (this is key). So the heaviest Russian aka spokeswoman and in rough English she walks over to the couch and says that the the mama is old and needs to sit. So people move and make room for mama, then spokeswoman asks the people how long they will be sitting there? One guy looks at her and mentions that he plans to be there for a few hours. Within the hour most people left so they conquested the sofa.

Then it is lunch time and they pull out bowls and utensils...that they stole from the ship that they were on! Two of the men began to play chess on a board game that they stole from the boat as well! Th BF looks at me and says "they fleeced the joint" followed by the foreshadowing, "I bet you that they are all on our flight". But the fun was just beginning.

Then it is time to check in the bags and that was a fiasco. I felt bad for the poor gate agent. Then mama, could not walk so she need a wheelchair. While they were at it, two more wanted wheelchairs too. I mean this airport was tiny but their wishes were accommodated. So they then a few hours later all were wheeled through security to the gate. Where when they boarded the plane had to board first. And in typical fashion, the spokeswoman and her meager husband sat in front of us. Where it was fart central. Oh my god it was horrible!

So we arrive in ORD after a long rough bumpy flight. The flight attendant comes on the system and mentions that there have been a request made for eleven wheelchairs. Now to be fair there were two women who had a medical reason for them. The rest, expect one, all went to the Russians where they all were wheeled to baggage claim where by the power of God they could lift their stuffed with stolen items suitcases and walk unaided to the parking lot!

Fun, it was bitter cold and snowy when we arrived and we were sad that our vacation is over.

I wanna a private island!

Almost done

With the photos that is, I know you want me to tell you about our awesome vacation and I am almost there!

I will dangle these facts so that you can eagerly wait for more trip details:

-We saw 3 "member only" jackets in the course of 30 seconds
-It is amazing how "crippled" elderly men can dash up the stairs to the hot tub
-We sat near a couple at another table for dinner that we dubbed "Punch me face" and Blondie. They provided us with entertainment during dinner.
-The BF won a game of bingo (and was dutifully scorned by the fellow players) and $74 which we lost part of it at the Casino
-I won $3 on black jack. I am now an addict...well I was down a dollar 1 day and I would not sit until I won it back damn it and then some. I am content with my winnings...I now want to go on the Riverboats, the BF is now worried
-FLL airport smells like Ben Gay and Urine

So all, I will have more later with photos to make you all envious. Hell, I am envious of my last week self!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Landed with sea legs

Sadly, we are back to our lives in Chicago but, we had a kick ass much anticipated and needed vacation.

My update will be forthcoming with some photos.

Missed ya guys, no really I did.

I spent a week purposely not checking email or my cell. It was weird but was in a way freeing.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Rollercoaster ride to the sun

We are in the sunny state of Florida! We left Chicago and snow behind yesterday and arrived to 82 degrees, sunny and warm. It was a contrast and it took a few minutes to let it all soak in. My winter jacket, hat and gloves are now an extra carry on!

Today we will board our ship and head west. Ironically, there is a tropical depression now forming in the Atlantic and we may meet it later in the week on our way back! There is never a dull moment.

We are leaving the craziness of work behind us. Last week, the two of us had a roller coaster of a week with many ups and down. The BF's company is laying people off, the next day he got a promotion. For me I was to meet with a senior management member regarding my position now that I have my MBA but he could not make it. So instead I met with the president and there is a bright future for me. So we'll see how this all plays out.

Anyway, must pack darlin' heading to port shortly....Do you think the crew will be offended if we insist on seeing Captain Stuben?

Monday, December 03, 2007

In one week....

I will be boarding the ship and heading out on our vacation.

I can't wait to get the hell out of here and actually go on a vacation that does not involve going to NY for any reason. In fact I am not going anywhere near the northeast. I am heading south to catch my boat. Also, we are leaving one day before hand to prevent the issue that I had last year. So the BF and I had built in a day to deal with the fun that can happen at the airport. So we will be there on time to board and explore the ship and perhaps schedule a massage or spa treatment.

We have been so on edge lately because we know that this vacation is coming so we are just very stressed out with out jobs and the clutter that we are working on in the apt. It will be nice to get away!

So the countdown has begun, let no sales rep get in my way!