Sunday, March 28, 2010

Mexico Vacation

To celebrate the end of the quarter as well just take some time to relax, Greg and I arranged to visit Sayulita again this year. This time, we went with our friends Jennifer and Pat for whom we have grown close to since my moving up in the area with Greg. They are our "go to" couple, and have been very good friends to us, and Jen especially to me. She was the first friend I made, and is one of the most generous and outgoing people I know. Needless to say, we were looking forward to having an adventure with them.

Our vacation started out great, the weather was in the mid 80's everyday - and it was fun to revisit a place that is very special to Greg and I. We spent most days relaxing next to the ocean, watching surfers, eating and for me reading. It had been so long since I got to read for pleasure, I wanted to fully enjoy this luxury and was able to start and finish "Committed: A skeptic makes peace with marriage," the book to follow Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love." It was a great book with some really interesting facts of the history of marriage, and her experiences with finding a place to accept it.

I would say all in all the trip was good. Not great, we had some setbacks that will somewhat taint this experience - but I still feel good overall about the trip. First, halfway through the trip Greg realized that he was missing his debit card. Come to find out, someone had picked it up at the airport upon our arrival and charged $900 onto it. Bummer. Then, Pat and Jenny kept having some issues with the food that somewhat made their experience less than what it could have been. Finally, Greg got completely sick our last day there. I'm talking cold sweats and unbearable body aches. Not to mention a vomit scene right in the middle of the town. Poor guy! Luckily it only lasted 24 hours, and he was good to go for the plane ride home.

Highlights of the trip were getting to talk with some of the locals who were extremely friendly. One guy in particular who was our server named, Chris who hooked us up on a fishing trip. He kept popping up throughout our trip and would chat with us and gave us some tips on where to go and what to do. The fishing trip was really fun, Greg got to pull in a giant fish - and the guys who ran the boat were very friendly and fun. For me, the food was great! I was the only one who didn't get sick, and gobbled up as many tacos that I could. Half of the Mexico experience for me is eating street vendor tacos and sharing some of that local flare.



Like I said, there were some bumps in the road - but all travels can't be perfect... can't wait to prepare for the next adventure!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

End of the Quarter Hell, my thoughts on birthdays...

So as my second quarter here at UWT comes to an end, I am faced with two presentations, 3 finals, and one 10-page paper... YIKES! Luckily, I am the type of person who works very well under pressure. I may not take the pressure well (poor Greg), but I do seem to accomplish a lot when there are many things on my plate. We'll see how that hard work pays off!

I just celebrated my 29th birthday, which was one of the most mellow birthdays yet. By the way, Greg is the best partner in the whole world. He took me out to a lovely restaurant, La Rustica in West Seattle and then sent me for a spa day that consisted of a 90 min. massage, 90 min. facial, and a pedicure... I've never felt so indulgent in my entire life! xoxo love you Greg!

So here's the thing about birthdays... yes, I love to celebrate the fact that you were born. That's cool, but everyone was born. You might say that I am a little bitter to the fact that people still insist on making a huge deal about their birthday - and insisting on having everyone come out and celebrate them. Now in our early twenties, this was just another excuse to go out and drink, which I'm all for. These days, to be upset if people cannot make your narcissistic excuse to celebrate yourself - well, don't be offended if Im not overly thrilled to do so.

I guess where I'm going with all of that is - there are certain people that make a big deal it's their birthday... those are the same people who don't go out of their way to do anything for you. Guess what? I don't care if you don't buy me dinner or send me a card, so please don't get dramatic if I don't do the same for you anymore... "why is it, the first to ask - is the last to give, every time?" - Ben Harper says it best.

Wow, this blog has quickly turned into something negative... what my initial intention to say about birthdays is, I am not making any big deals about my birthday until I turn 30. Next year I will be graduated from college and celebrating my birthday all in the same month... so get ready! ...P.S. I won't expect anyone to go out of their way for it, I will organize everything!

Now, countdown till our Mexican vacation...