In lieu of my acceptance for the GSE to Morocco next Spring, I decided it was probably in my best interest to cancel/postpone my trip to Tampa in February. I'm a little bummed, but I do think the money I will save (plus the vacation days) will be well worth it. Luckily, my flight was reserved on award miles, and I didn't lose those, and I didn't pay a deposit for my motel.
Plus...maybe after the GSE is done, I can tack on a few days in....Spain!?! As my boss said, it's just across the water the Straight of Gibraltar from Morocco, kind of like taking the ferry from Manitowoc to Michigan. Well, not quite.... :)
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I'm Going to Morocco!!
Yesterday I did my phone interview with the Rotary District to get a chance to participate in a Group Study Exchange program in Morocco. I'm in Sacramento this week for the ARSL Conference, which is fabulous, so I had to do my interview by phone. I knew I would be nervous, and they fired some thought-provoking questions at me. (What would say in Morocco if asked about the war in Iraq?) I knew I had to be happy that I at least tried, but only four people could go, and nine people applied.
But I got the email yesterday that I was chosen, and I can hardly believe it!!!! So next April, I will get to spend a month in Morocco, doing vocational activities, meeting other Rotarians, giving presentations with the other team members and learning about how their libraries work.
I'm still pinching myself. :)
But I got the email yesterday that I was chosen, and I can hardly believe it!!!! So next April, I will get to spend a month in Morocco, doing vocational activities, meeting other Rotarians, giving presentations with the other team members and learning about how their libraries work.
I'm still pinching myself. :)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I'm Going to Tampa in February
I did it, and I'm either half insane or half crazy, maybe both.
I booked a flight to Tampa for February of 2009. I don't know where I'm staying, I don't know who else is going, I don't know what it will cost, but I'll land in Tampa on Feb. 18 and I'll leave on Feb. 22. Four nights, five days.
I will most likely be going by myself, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
I don't think I'm totally crazy. I did use my Midwest miles to book the flight. I wanted to do this before they start charging for award travel, which is what many airlines are doing.
And I figured if I had a free flight coming, I'm going to go where I want (somewhere warm) and when I want (when it's not warm here). Up until now, I considered saving up to go to Costa Rica, taking a cruise from LA or going to Vegas. I don't know that Tampa would be my first choice on a free flight, but I do know two things. It will be warmer than here next February, and I'll be itching to get away. There are tons of cute towns along the Gulf Coast, so that is probably where I'll end up if I end up renting a car.
So now when I'm having a crummy day, I'll just think about Tampa in February...
I booked a flight to Tampa for February of 2009. I don't know where I'm staying, I don't know who else is going, I don't know what it will cost, but I'll land in Tampa on Feb. 18 and I'll leave on Feb. 22. Four nights, five days.
I will most likely be going by myself, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
I don't think I'm totally crazy. I did use my Midwest miles to book the flight. I wanted to do this before they start charging for award travel, which is what many airlines are doing.
And I figured if I had a free flight coming, I'm going to go where I want (somewhere warm) and when I want (when it's not warm here). Up until now, I considered saving up to go to Costa Rica, taking a cruise from LA or going to Vegas. I don't know that Tampa would be my first choice on a free flight, but I do know two things. It will be warmer than here next February, and I'll be itching to get away. There are tons of cute towns along the Gulf Coast, so that is probably where I'll end up if I end up renting a car.
So now when I'm having a crummy day, I'll just think about Tampa in February...
Monday, July 07, 2008
Home
I'm finally home!
I had a great time in Anaheim at the conference, and an even better time visiting with relatives in Long Beach. After a somewhat strenuous flight home, I spent some time with my sister's family who was in town from Omaha. Then I went up to Crooked Lake, and of course, had a great time. Last night my parents had the whole fam over for grilling out and fireworks, and I was finally able to bring Kelly home. The two of us are both pretty tuckered out!
I had a great time in Anaheim at the conference, and an even better time visiting with relatives in Long Beach. After a somewhat strenuous flight home, I spent some time with my sister's family who was in town from Omaha. Then I went up to Crooked Lake, and of course, had a great time. Last night my parents had the whole fam over for grilling out and fireworks, and I was finally able to bring Kelly home. The two of us are both pretty tuckered out!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Anaheim
I made it to Anaheim safe and sound for the ALA Conference. They say around 25,000 librarians are here. I'm starting to realize that the real value of attending these conferences is not entirely in the sessions, but in the people you meet. Isn't it who you know and not always what you know? I think there is some value in the sessions, but more importantly, it's making those connections.
I've been to Downtown Disney every night this week. It's a neat area, with shops, restaurants, live music, etc. We ate at an excellent tapas bar last night, and a great pizza place the night before. The only bad thing is that I'm not working out a lot. We walk quite a bit, but it's not like a work out. Oh well...there is time for that when I get home I guess.
I've been to Downtown Disney every night this week. It's a neat area, with shops, restaurants, live music, etc. We ate at an excellent tapas bar last night, and a great pizza place the night before. The only bad thing is that I'm not working out a lot. We walk quite a bit, but it's not like a work out. Oh well...there is time for that when I get home I guess.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Off to Omaha
I leave for Omaha in a few hours, and I fly back on Monday afternoon. It will be nice to see little Mary Madeleine, and of course, their new house. I can hardly believe Memorial Day weekend is here already. The weather sure doesn't make it seem like it, but it's here!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Crooked Lake Characters
I'm so glad it's almost "summer." Summer to me, means....farmers markets, Bay Beach, swimming outside, Brewers games, bbq-ing and Crooked Lake!
For the past decade or so, a couple weekends out of the summer I venture up to T's family cottage in Crooked Lake, or "CL" as we call it. K attends when she can, and sometimes B comes with her. We hang out with G and D (T's parents), Aunty B, and her grandma before she passed away.
There are always good times had up by the lake. Good meals, good drinks, fireworks, drives into "town" or into the big city of Crivitz, and nights at the local drinking holes. And at these drinking holes we always meet some characters. Some we see every summer and some we meet only once (and sometimes that's enough!)
Here, as far as I can remember, is a list of our favorite CL "cast of characters."
- Keven: (yes, with two e's). The latest and greatest bartender at Randall's, which was formerly Steiny's, and before that, Chris and Dave's. Keven used to work in Vegas but now spends his time at the lake. He's very popular among the "ladies" and he makes drinks nice and strong. We constantly remind him his name is spelled wrong.
- Billy Zane: This is the boy T had a crush on for most of her life at the cabin. After he shaved his head, he looked like Billy Zane from the Titanic. His family lived in the cabin next door up until a few years ago. Sadly, though, Billy Zane married and had children, and eventually T moved on, too.
Abe: This gomer was Billy Zane's friend and was obsessed with T. He sat with her fam and looked at baby pictures of her. I think he even asked her out.
- Scary Larry: This was Billy Zane's dad. Larry could never remember my name, and he always had a drink in his hand, whether I arrived at the cabin at 8 am or 8 pm. Hmmmm.....
-Kevin Costner: Kevin (spelled the normal way) was Billy Zane's brother and Larry's oldest son. He looked an awful lot like Kevin Costner, and was pretty fun to drink with at the campfire.
- Brian: This was one of Billy Zane's friends that Scary Larry wanted to set me up with a few years back. I thought he was alright until he managed to polish off a twelve-pack while we were all hanging out on a SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Yeah...
-Hitler: We met Hitler when we were in our early 20s at one of the bars. He had a major crush on K, and even asked T's mom if she thought "he had a chance with her." Yeah, T and I would've set him straight right away. He either had a moustache like Hitler, or just dirt above his lip. We could never tell.
The Pilot (aka Nancy Boy): The pilot was the son of the other neighbors, and we met him a few summers back. He wasn't too shabby and even seemed pretty cool, until he CHOSE to go play cards with Mommy and Daddy instead of going out drinking with us. BOR-ING!
-Whitey: We saw Whitey for two consecutive summers at the lake, but now he's disappeared. Whitey lived in Freedom, and had the whitest teeth in the world (hence, his name). Whitey kind of had a thing for T, and one year she did give him her email address. I guess they still don't have email access in Freedom, because she never heard from him.
-Timmy: Tim is a CL "regular," as in he lives there year- round. He's always at The Pines, or the local karaoke place on Saturday nights. His voice is so good that I was honored when he agreed to a duet with me on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. (I wanted to do a duet from "Grease" but Timmy, with his mullet and cut-off denim shirt, had something against John Travolta. Imagine that!) We were smashingly good, and it was a crowd pleaser.
-Bonnie: This lady owns one of the local establishments, and runs the karaoke on Saturday nights. That's fine and dandy and all, but why does she have to sing every other song?!?!
-Hippy: Hippy was a 50-something bartender one year at the Pines, and kept wanting to dance with me. He looked and dressed like a hippy, and I remember twirling around with him to the BeeGee's "How Deep is Your Love." Yeah...good times.
Paul Walker and his wife Pam: We met Paul Walker and his wife Pam last summer in early August. I don't think Paul Walker was his real name, but he sure looked like him. Pam was her actual name. They were fun and we ended up at their cottage for an after bar, along with Pete from Appleton (see below) and his friends.
Crivitz hottie: Yeah, T tried chasing down this one in the gravel parking lot of the gas station with the T-bird.
One-armed pool player: I think K played this guy in pool at the Pines. He was pretty good.
8 streakers: These guys invited T and I to go skinny dipping with them at the public beach. We snuck up on them, and then when they realized we were watching, they got a little mad. We escaped before the Oconto County cops showed up.
Shoreline bartender: This loser wouldn't make me a dirty girl scout shot. So then I had to reach across the bar, grab him by the collar, and insist, "I want a dirty girl scout!" He said, "yeah, so do I." I said, "yeah, you WOULD, ya perve!" I don't think I ever got one....but don't worry. I'm sure I crushed chips on the floor for that.
-Pete from Appleton: We met Pete and his buddies the same night we met Paul Walker and Pam last summer. I remember when he walked into Randall's, T said he was "actually hot, and not just Crooked Lake hot, but like even Green Bay hot." I only saw Pete that one night, I don't remember much about him, other than he was good at (tonsil) hockey...
There you have it. The CL cast of characters.
Who will be added to the list this summer????
For the past decade or so, a couple weekends out of the summer I venture up to T's family cottage in Crooked Lake, or "CL" as we call it. K attends when she can, and sometimes B comes with her. We hang out with G and D (T's parents), Aunty B, and her grandma before she passed away.
There are always good times had up by the lake. Good meals, good drinks, fireworks, drives into "town" or into the big city of Crivitz, and nights at the local drinking holes. And at these drinking holes we always meet some characters. Some we see every summer and some we meet only once (and sometimes that's enough!)
Here, as far as I can remember, is a list of our favorite CL "cast of characters."
- Keven: (yes, with two e's). The latest and greatest bartender at Randall's, which was formerly Steiny's, and before that, Chris and Dave's. Keven used to work in Vegas but now spends his time at the lake. He's very popular among the "ladies" and he makes drinks nice and strong. We constantly remind him his name is spelled wrong.
- Billy Zane: This is the boy T had a crush on for most of her life at the cabin. After he shaved his head, he looked like Billy Zane from the Titanic. His family lived in the cabin next door up until a few years ago. Sadly, though, Billy Zane married and had children, and eventually T moved on, too.
Abe: This gomer was Billy Zane's friend and was obsessed with T. He sat with her fam and looked at baby pictures of her. I think he even asked her out.
- Scary Larry: This was Billy Zane's dad. Larry could never remember my name, and he always had a drink in his hand, whether I arrived at the cabin at 8 am or 8 pm. Hmmmm.....
-Kevin Costner: Kevin (spelled the normal way) was Billy Zane's brother and Larry's oldest son. He looked an awful lot like Kevin Costner, and was pretty fun to drink with at the campfire.
- Brian: This was one of Billy Zane's friends that Scary Larry wanted to set me up with a few years back. I thought he was alright until he managed to polish off a twelve-pack while we were all hanging out on a SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Yeah...
-Hitler: We met Hitler when we were in our early 20s at one of the bars. He had a major crush on K, and even asked T's mom if she thought "he had a chance with her." Yeah, T and I would've set him straight right away. He either had a moustache like Hitler, or just dirt above his lip. We could never tell.
The Pilot (aka Nancy Boy): The pilot was the son of the other neighbors, and we met him a few summers back. He wasn't too shabby and even seemed pretty cool, until he CHOSE to go play cards with Mommy and Daddy instead of going out drinking with us. BOR-ING!
-Whitey: We saw Whitey for two consecutive summers at the lake, but now he's disappeared. Whitey lived in Freedom, and had the whitest teeth in the world (hence, his name). Whitey kind of had a thing for T, and one year she did give him her email address. I guess they still don't have email access in Freedom, because she never heard from him.
-Timmy: Tim is a CL "regular," as in he lives there year- round. He's always at The Pines, or the local karaoke place on Saturday nights. His voice is so good that I was honored when he agreed to a duet with me on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. (I wanted to do a duet from "Grease" but Timmy, with his mullet and cut-off denim shirt, had something against John Travolta. Imagine that!) We were smashingly good, and it was a crowd pleaser.
-Bonnie: This lady owns one of the local establishments, and runs the karaoke on Saturday nights. That's fine and dandy and all, but why does she have to sing every other song?!?!
-Hippy: Hippy was a 50-something bartender one year at the Pines, and kept wanting to dance with me. He looked and dressed like a hippy, and I remember twirling around with him to the BeeGee's "How Deep is Your Love." Yeah...good times.
Paul Walker and his wife Pam: We met Paul Walker and his wife Pam last summer in early August. I don't think Paul Walker was his real name, but he sure looked like him. Pam was her actual name. They were fun and we ended up at their cottage for an after bar, along with Pete from Appleton (see below) and his friends.
Crivitz hottie: Yeah, T tried chasing down this one in the gravel parking lot of the gas station with the T-bird.
One-armed pool player: I think K played this guy in pool at the Pines. He was pretty good.
8 streakers: These guys invited T and I to go skinny dipping with them at the public beach. We snuck up on them, and then when they realized we were watching, they got a little mad. We escaped before the Oconto County cops showed up.
Shoreline bartender: This loser wouldn't make me a dirty girl scout shot. So then I had to reach across the bar, grab him by the collar, and insist, "I want a dirty girl scout!" He said, "yeah, so do I." I said, "yeah, you WOULD, ya perve!" I don't think I ever got one....but don't worry. I'm sure I crushed chips on the floor for that.
-Pete from Appleton: We met Pete and his buddies the same night we met Paul Walker and Pam last summer. I remember when he walked into Randall's, T said he was "actually hot, and not just Crooked Lake hot, but like even Green Bay hot." I only saw Pete that one night, I don't remember much about him, other than he was good at (tonsil) hockey...
There you have it. The CL cast of characters.
Who will be added to the list this summer????
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Point
I get to go to the exciting city of Stevens Point today, for a conference. Actually, I like the town - have some fond memories of partying there with my friend Kelly in our college days. I actually am part of a panel tomorrow for our outreach project on serving Spanish speakers in libraries. Hopefully it will go ok.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Back
What can I say?! China was just amazing!The gardens, the amount of people, the way of life, the shopping, the buildings, the tour group, etc.
It feels like a dream that I was actually there. Needless to say, it's been tough getting back into my normal work/life routine. I met some great people on the companion tour, also.
It was one of the best trips I've ever taken, and I don't regret going for a minute!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Ready!
I'm soooooo ready to ditch this popsicle stand!!!!
How I will make it through the next few hours at work I haven't a clue!?!
How I will make it through the next few hours at work I haven't a clue!?!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I'm Ready!
I'm packed and ready to go! I wish I was leaving for China today, because I will be SO anxious the next few days. I have:
Wet wipes
Travel Charmin (apparently public toilets in some places consist of a long trough where you "squat.")
Purell
Immodium AD
Airborne
Three magazines (for the 14-hour flight from San Fran to Beijing)
Journal
Passport
Luggage Locks
Snacks
Money Belt
Clothes, socks, undies, workout shoes, comfy shoes, toiletries
To Do:
Take Kelly to the farm
Get cash at the Bank (lots of 1's for street vendors)
Tidy up house
Drink lots of water
Get lots of rest
Wet wipes
Travel Charmin (apparently public toilets in some places consist of a long trough where you "squat.")
Purell
Immodium AD
Airborne
Three magazines (for the 14-hour flight from San Fran to Beijing)
Journal
Passport
Luggage Locks
Snacks
Money Belt
Clothes, socks, undies, workout shoes, comfy shoes, toiletries
To Do:
Take Kelly to the farm
Get cash at the Bank (lots of 1's for street vendors)
Tidy up house
Drink lots of water
Get lots of rest
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
It Arrived
My luggage is here! My luggage is here!
Hooray! No more shampooing my hair with dish soap. No more shopping for cheap shirts at Wal-Mart. In fact, some I will even return. No more walking around in public without make-up and relying on my "natural" looks. No more granny panties! No more just sticking my feet in the hot tub. I can actually go in! No more looking like white trash with a black bra and white t-shirt.
I never thought I would be so happy to see my luggage!
Hip, hip....Hooray!!
Hooray! No more shampooing my hair with dish soap. No more shopping for cheap shirts at Wal-Mart. In fact, some I will even return. No more walking around in public without make-up and relying on my "natural" looks. No more granny panties! No more just sticking my feet in the hot tub. I can actually go in! No more looking like white trash with a black bra and white t-shirt.
I never thought I would be so happy to see my luggage!
Hip, hip....Hooray!!
For everything else...
Three-pack of Hanes Granny Panties: $6
White, ugly, "Florida" t-shirt from Wal-greens (which looks stellar over my black bra): $6.50
Black flip flops: $2.50
Black capri pants, tank top, beige bra, white t-shirt from Wal-Mart: $26
Soap, toothbrush and lotion: $5
Grateful that skin is remotely clear and acne-free on a day without a make-up bag: $0
Non-shampooed hair in over 24 hours: kind of gross
Arriving in Orlando 6 hours late (@ 2:30 am), sans luggage: pain in the butt
Sitting by the pool, sipping a summer hummer, reading a magazine in 70-degree weather:
PRICELESS.
White, ugly, "Florida" t-shirt from Wal-greens (which looks stellar over my black bra): $6.50
Black flip flops: $2.50
Black capri pants, tank top, beige bra, white t-shirt from Wal-Mart: $26
Soap, toothbrush and lotion: $5
Grateful that skin is remotely clear and acne-free on a day without a make-up bag: $0
Non-shampooed hair in over 24 hours: kind of gross
Arriving in Orlando 6 hours late (@ 2:30 am), sans luggage: pain in the butt
Sitting by the pool, sipping a summer hummer, reading a magazine in 70-degree weather:
PRICELESS.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Is EVERYONE Married in the airport?
When I was at the airport on Thursday night, I swore everyone and their mother had on a rock on their finger. Like everyone. Do married people congregate here or something? Short people, tall people, pretty people, not-as-pretty people, skinny people, larger people, young people, old people. They were all married. How do all these people find one another? How did they meet? I almost wanted to ask some of them. Maybe next time I will.
I still have this crazy fantasy that en route to one of my vacations, I will be sitting next to the man of my dreams. We'll talk, fall madly in love and live happily ever after. But that never happens, except in the movies.
I still have this crazy fantasy that en route to one of my vacations, I will be sitting next to the man of my dreams. We'll talk, fall madly in love and live happily ever after. But that never happens, except in the movies.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Leaving Dodge
I leave for Omaha in 7 hours! Woo hoo!
I can't wait to get on that plane and get the heck out of dodge for a few days. I've been antsy all morning (which might have something to do with the slice of lemon babka I ate), and I'm sure I'll be this way all day.
I will miss Kelly, though. She gave me a sad look this morning when I left her at my parents' house. I know she is in good hands, but I will still miss her like crazy!
When did I become such a dog freak?
I can't wait to get on that plane and get the heck out of dodge for a few days. I've been antsy all morning (which might have something to do with the slice of lemon babka I ate), and I'm sure I'll be this way all day.
I will miss Kelly, though. She gave me a sad look this morning when I left her at my parents' house. I know she is in good hands, but I will still miss her like crazy!
When did I become such a dog freak?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Updates
1) I finally, regretfully, have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. Eek!! I've known I might, sorta, have to, for about a year, but it became reality when the dentist informed me yesterday that I have a cavity in one of them. I said to him, "well, if I get it yanked, then I don't need the cavity, right?" He said, "that would be correct." So, I figure it's probably worth it to just get them all yanked if I'm going to get one of them yanked, that needs a cavity anyway. My sister-in-law works at a dental office, and she agreed. I have a consultation in November.
2) The good news is that my blood pressure is 96/50, probably the best it's ever been!
3) My Wednesday interval class at the Y this week is being discontinued due to low attendance. But, I am picking up a Thursday kickboxing class at Belmark in DePere, through the Y. Apparently it's a lively group with good attendance, which is awesome! So now I am teaching kickboxing twice a week, once on Tuesday at the Y and once off-site. Fab-u-lous!
4) I'm visiting my sister and her fam in Omaha next Thursday for four days - which means I get to see my godchild, little Mary!
5) I babysat my niece and nephew, Bella and Ben, last Saturday for a few hours, and although it was fun and they were well-behaved, it was the best birth control EVER!
6) "A.D." and I are taking things slow and are keeping things more on a friendship level right now. Things were moving along a little fast for me. But, we're still talking and continue to hang out. He's such a great guy, and he deserves someone who can give him what he needs. Regardless of what happens, I'm really glad we met. When I start to doubt if I will ever meet a decent man, I surprisingly get proved wrong. They do exist!
2) The good news is that my blood pressure is 96/50, probably the best it's ever been!
3) My Wednesday interval class at the Y this week is being discontinued due to low attendance. But, I am picking up a Thursday kickboxing class at Belmark in DePere, through the Y. Apparently it's a lively group with good attendance, which is awesome! So now I am teaching kickboxing twice a week, once on Tuesday at the Y and once off-site. Fab-u-lous!
4) I'm visiting my sister and her fam in Omaha next Thursday for four days - which means I get to see my godchild, little Mary!
5) I babysat my niece and nephew, Bella and Ben, last Saturday for a few hours, and although it was fun and they were well-behaved, it was the best birth control EVER!
6) "A.D." and I are taking things slow and are keeping things more on a friendship level right now. Things were moving along a little fast for me. But, we're still talking and continue to hang out. He's such a great guy, and he deserves someone who can give him what he needs. Regardless of what happens, I'm really glad we met. When I start to doubt if I will ever meet a decent man, I surprisingly get proved wrong. They do exist!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Vacation-itis
I am suffering from Vacation-itis. This is when you are in major need of a vacation and are itching to get away!
Thank goodness I am leaving town for a few days on Friday to see Tara in Texas. Hopefully the weather will be even warmer than it is here. I always think the only thing you should debate on vacation is what kind of drink you should order. Any decisions more difficult than that...and it's NOT a vacation!
Thank goodness I am leaving town for a few days on Friday to see Tara in Texas. Hopefully the weather will be even warmer than it is here. I always think the only thing you should debate on vacation is what kind of drink you should order. Any decisions more difficult than that...and it's NOT a vacation!
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