Day 3 (cont.)
So we were upgraded from the regular dolphin encounter to the dolphin adventure.
We were in the water and rubbed the dolphins' bellies, danced and cheered with them, rode around the pool on their bellies and watched them do cool tricks less than 10 feet from us. We even got to feed them fish treats.
It was one of the most memorable things we did.
It was also funny to watch a man in the gift shop freak out when he thought a golf shirt was $495. That's pesos, amigo. HAHA!
When we got back to Samba it was back to our lounging routine. Naps, swimming and eating.
Day 4
The snorkeling trip was earlier than the dolphin trip the day before, so I had to bug Brad to get up early enough that I could get breakfast. The buffet wasn't set up in time, and I was pretty grumpy about that. Luckily they fed us repeatedly on our excursion.
We got on a catamaran for Marina Vallarta around 9 a.m. where we picked up more passengers. We then headed to Las Marietas islands on the northern tip of Banderas Bay. Because I am a geek, I found out about our surroundings. Banderas Bay means Bay of Flags because when Spanish conquistadors sailed into the bay they saw many big feather thingies the locals had put up around the mountainsides. Did you know it is the third largest bay in the world, next to Hudson Bay and the San Francisco Bay?
So Las Marietas are a chain of volcano islands at the northern tip of the bay. They are now an avian sanctuary, but were used in the 1960s as a bomb test site. Jacques Cousteau made a big stink about the whales and they stopped. So that is where we went snorkeling.
Hurricane Lane came through the week before, and the crew said the water was starting to clear up. Nonetheless, it was choppy and hard to see much. Brad was struggling with his deflatable life vest, and I kept getting water in my mask.
We got back on the boat a little early and they fed us HUGE Mexican ham sandwiches and cookies. (They were Mexican because the cheese was different.) They then took us to the south end of the bay to a secluded beach accessible only by boat. There were a few honeymooners' shacks on the cliffs, but other than that it looked like a beach straight out of "Lost."
The catamaran couldn't go all the way to shore, so we hopped out and swam in. I took a life vest as a pool float and just floated around for an hour or so. That part was the highlight of the excursion.
On the way back the crew of the catamaran lip synced to various classics to boost their tips. It was high entertainment.
That's when the cold started to really kick in. I had started to feel the congestion that morning, but trooped through it. Every morning I did stretches to make my back less tight, and after all the swimming I guess it was really tight.
Brad suggested a quick movement to pop it. I centered my chi, then went for it. I crumpled in a heap on the floor. I won't blame it on Brad either, he was just trying to help. I couldn't use my back muscles until I was home again.
Day 5
We began our trek homeward on Friday. We checked out at noon and headed to the airport, where we waited for over an hour for our flight. We played hangman.
We landed in Houston with over an hour until our connecting flight. Little did we know security would take all of that time. Unable to use my lower back muscles, we went as fast as we could through the massive Houston airport to our next gate, where we were just in time to catch a bus to the small jet going to Charlotte. Cool.
I don't remember much once we got back to Charlotte. I drugged myself with Nyquil and slept the entire ride back to Hickory.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Honeymoon, Day 2
Day 2
I woke up at 7 a.m., Puerto Vallarta time (mountain time, two hours behind eastern standard time). So technically I slept in, because my brain thought it was 9 a.m. There was no sun. I thought we had slept through Tuesday. Panic! The sun didn't wake up until around 7:45. I guess because we were on the tip of the next time zone, things are a little late.
Who cares? We're on vacation.
We met with Martin at the hotel lobby (with Dave and Deb Michigan) to discuss excursion possibilities. I had already ordered a dolphin encounter for Brad's wedding gift. We added a snorkeling trip. Dave and Deb did the same. Now our party of two was a party of four every time we left the resort. I'm not complaining. They were good people, and it took the edge off the foreign country. Plus we split taxi fares.
Tuesday was full of reading, swimming and eating. The resort is like a cruise ship on land. Three restaurants. All you can eat. Drink service to your lounger. Poolside activities and games. The bonus: a beach and a huge, awesome pool.
Brad decides he isn't going to shave for the entire honeymoon. I guess he didn't really have a choice because his razor was in the backseat of the Saturn, which was parked in the daily deck of Charlotte Douglas. My poor chafed chin.
Day 3
Wednesday was our day with the dolphins. We spent the day lounging, swimming and eating (sense a pattern?), then met up with the Michigans to ride down to the Vallarta Adventures office. We had signed up for the Encounter, not the Adventure. It was cheaper and instead of swimming with the dolphins for an hour, you petted them from an underwater platform for 15 minutes. The platform was broken.
We were upgraded to the adventure for free! Woohoo! More later...
I woke up at 7 a.m., Puerto Vallarta time (mountain time, two hours behind eastern standard time). So technically I slept in, because my brain thought it was 9 a.m. There was no sun. I thought we had slept through Tuesday. Panic! The sun didn't wake up until around 7:45. I guess because we were on the tip of the next time zone, things are a little late.
Who cares? We're on vacation.
We met with Martin at the hotel lobby (with Dave and Deb Michigan) to discuss excursion possibilities. I had already ordered a dolphin encounter for Brad's wedding gift. We added a snorkeling trip. Dave and Deb did the same. Now our party of two was a party of four every time we left the resort. I'm not complaining. They were good people, and it took the edge off the foreign country. Plus we split taxi fares.
Tuesday was full of reading, swimming and eating. The resort is like a cruise ship on land. Three restaurants. All you can eat. Drink service to your lounger. Poolside activities and games. The bonus: a beach and a huge, awesome pool.
Brad decides he isn't going to shave for the entire honeymoon. I guess he didn't really have a choice because his razor was in the backseat of the Saturn, which was parked in the daily deck of Charlotte Douglas. My poor chafed chin.
Day 3
Wednesday was our day with the dolphins. We spent the day lounging, swimming and eating (sense a pattern?), then met up with the Michigans to ride down to the Vallarta Adventures office. We had signed up for the Encounter, not the Adventure. It was cheaper and instead of swimming with the dolphins for an hour, you petted them from an underwater platform for 15 minutes. The platform was broken.
We were upgraded to the adventure for free! Woohoo! More later...
Wedding and Honeymoon, Day 1
All the things I need to update on are far too lengthy for one post, so I'll try to stagger as much as possible.
The wedding went off without a hitch. We had a grand time with the best people. The ceremony was beautiful, the reception was fun, the food was delicious, the music was entertaining and the toasts were touching.
Afterward the chaos began. I still have no clue where half of the stuff ended up, and am in the process of piecing together the last bits.
We left the reception around 10:30, an hour later than our anticipated departure. We were held up by longer-than-expected goodbyes. I'm not complaining, I love all those people very much.
We had to drive back to the church to pick up Brad's car. We made it back to the hotel around 11:30. Apparently Sarah Mann coordinated a "short sheeting" of our bed, which I didn't even realize was a joke until Queen told me about it. I just remember Brad and I almost fighting because I couldn't get under the covers with the lights out!
Day 1
I couldn't sleep much because I was too worried about the things I left in other people's cars that we would need on the honeymoon. Namely prescriptions and my flip flops. We woke up at 4:30 and headed out at 5 to meet Lori halfway between downtown and my middle-of-nowhere home. We made it to the Charlotte airport in time for our flight. Whew.
We almost didn't make it to Houston in time for the connecting flight. The Puerto Vallarta airport was nicer than I expected, but still very small. There was a shuttle waiting for us. We rode with a couple from Michigan, Dave and Deb, who were celebrating a birthday, 15th wedding anniversary and Dave's retirement in one big trip.
Samba Vallarta (our hotel) was a dream. Manicured pool, beautiful seascape, tile-floored room. The floors were funny because the maid's shoes squeaked a lot.
As soon as we were left alone, I started getting out of my clothes and into my bikini for the pool. I get my pants off and there is a knock on the door. The maid entered and I did the first thing I could think to keep from exposing my Vickies to a foreign stranger: I got in the closet and shut the doors. The closet was big, and had wooden screen doors.
Little did I know she came back to put the pillows on our bed. Little did I know the pillows were stored in the closet. Luckily I got another pair of pants of the luggage and redressed. Brad was a little awkward trying to keep the lady from going in the closet, but I opened the door and tried to act like it was completely normal for me to be in the closet.
She just laughed, as I probably would have done. How embarrassing.
After a few hours at the pool, we went back to the room to freshen up for dinner. A little nap would be great.
Should we set an alarm, Brad asked. Let's just see what happens, I said.
It was 6:30. We didn't wake up until the next morning.
The wedding went off without a hitch. We had a grand time with the best people. The ceremony was beautiful, the reception was fun, the food was delicious, the music was entertaining and the toasts were touching.
Afterward the chaos began. I still have no clue where half of the stuff ended up, and am in the process of piecing together the last bits.
We left the reception around 10:30, an hour later than our anticipated departure. We were held up by longer-than-expected goodbyes. I'm not complaining, I love all those people very much.
We had to drive back to the church to pick up Brad's car. We made it back to the hotel around 11:30. Apparently Sarah Mann coordinated a "short sheeting" of our bed, which I didn't even realize was a joke until Queen told me about it. I just remember Brad and I almost fighting because I couldn't get under the covers with the lights out!
Day 1
I couldn't sleep much because I was too worried about the things I left in other people's cars that we would need on the honeymoon. Namely prescriptions and my flip flops. We woke up at 4:30 and headed out at 5 to meet Lori halfway between downtown and my middle-of-nowhere home. We made it to the Charlotte airport in time for our flight. Whew.
We almost didn't make it to Houston in time for the connecting flight. The Puerto Vallarta airport was nicer than I expected, but still very small. There was a shuttle waiting for us. We rode with a couple from Michigan, Dave and Deb, who were celebrating a birthday, 15th wedding anniversary and Dave's retirement in one big trip.
Samba Vallarta (our hotel) was a dream. Manicured pool, beautiful seascape, tile-floored room. The floors were funny because the maid's shoes squeaked a lot.
As soon as we were left alone, I started getting out of my clothes and into my bikini for the pool. I get my pants off and there is a knock on the door. The maid entered and I did the first thing I could think to keep from exposing my Vickies to a foreign stranger: I got in the closet and shut the doors. The closet was big, and had wooden screen doors.
Little did I know she came back to put the pillows on our bed. Little did I know the pillows were stored in the closet. Luckily I got another pair of pants of the luggage and redressed. Brad was a little awkward trying to keep the lady from going in the closet, but I opened the door and tried to act like it was completely normal for me to be in the closet.
She just laughed, as I probably would have done. How embarrassing.
After a few hours at the pool, we went back to the room to freshen up for dinner. A little nap would be great.
Should we set an alarm, Brad asked. Let's just see what happens, I said.
It was 6:30. We didn't wake up until the next morning.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Good hump day
Happy Wednesday all. As you probably all know, this is my last Wednesday as a Hines.
Exciting, I know.
But I'm not freaking out. Why does everyone ask me that?
I am, of course, the mastermind of all things anal compulsive. I had many of the details ironed out months ago. Just ask my dozens of Excel spreadsheets. They'll tell you.
I am setting myself up for tragedy, I know.
So why is today such a glorious hump day?
Could it be because 14 inches of rain poured on me today? No. Could it be because I came in an hour early to work? No. Could it be because I got free Mexican food and a compliment from a stranger? How'd you guess?
(I'm in an odd mood, so work with me here).
Today was the goodbye lunch for Mandy, a cubical neighbor and all around good person. She is moving (all by herself) to California to pursue the next step in her journalism career. Wow. Which brings me to the Mexican food. Did I mention it was free?
When you've been here for more than a year and you leave on good terms, the publisher treats the newsroom to a goodbye lunch. I've had the privilege of going to three. (That's what happens in a small newsroom, lots of turnover).
When we returned to work a small German woman came up to the receptionist and asked him something I couldn't hear. I did hear him say "well let me find the person responsible for that."
Uh oh! Duck and cover!
Angry readers are the worst to deal with, especially for the poor copy editor that's never allowed to mingle with the public (wait, I like it that way. Some people are really dumb).
O.C. (the receptionist) finds me working mindlessly and introduces the little frau. She is carrying the Focus on Iredell spread from Sept. 3 (as shown on the right). She then barraged me with compliments. How creative I am! How did I come up with something this neat looking? How nice it is to see neat things in the newspaper. Then she has me sign the back of the page so she can mail it to her German family.
Awesome.
I have a German fan club.
And I'm getting married on Sunday.
Exciting, I know.
But I'm not freaking out. Why does everyone ask me that?
I am, of course, the mastermind of all things anal compulsive. I had many of the details ironed out months ago. Just ask my dozens of Excel spreadsheets. They'll tell you.
I am setting myself up for tragedy, I know.
So why is today such a glorious hump day?
Could it be because 14 inches of rain poured on me today? No. Could it be because I came in an hour early to work? No. Could it be because I got free Mexican food and a compliment from a stranger? How'd you guess?
(I'm in an odd mood, so work with me here).
Today was the goodbye lunch for Mandy, a cubical neighbor and all around good person. She is moving (all by herself) to California to pursue the next step in her journalism career. Wow. Which brings me to the Mexican food. Did I mention it was free?
When you've been here for more than a year and you leave on good terms, the publisher treats the newsroom to a goodbye lunch. I've had the privilege of going to three. (That's what happens in a small newsroom, lots of turnover).
When we returned to work a small German woman came up to the receptionist and asked him something I couldn't hear. I did hear him say "well let me find the person responsible for that."
Uh oh! Duck and cover!
Angry readers are the worst to deal with, especially for the poor copy editor that's never allowed to mingle with the public (wait, I like it that way. Some people are really dumb).
O.C. (the receptionist) finds me working mindlessly and introduces the little frau. She is carrying the Focus on Iredell spread from Sept. 3 (as shown on the right). She then barraged me with compliments. How creative I am! How did I come up with something this neat looking? How nice it is to see neat things in the newspaper. Then she has me sign the back of the page so she can mail it to her German family.
Awesome.
I have a German fan club.
And I'm getting married on Sunday.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Kitty update
I know you were all dying for a cat update! Don't hide it!
We were so lonely without the cats for all of three days. I can only imagine what torture it must have been for them, all alone in a vet's kennel for the weekend. I guess it showed when we picked them up.
When they brought Smalls out his eyes were huge. He saw Brad and relaxed a little. Brad hugged him while they got Rocky.
Wouldn't you know the biggest crybaby when he's just lying around the house would also be the loudest cat on Earth at the vet. We heard him from the other side of the building. Brad even asked if that was Rocky.
Rocky looked much worse than Smalls did. His fur was mussed, his paws were noticeably more scabbed, and he kept crying.
Once we got them home they insisted on human contact for the rest of the day. They wouldn't let us out of their sights. Poor things.
I keep seeing these cats that are skinny, then get fixed and balloon into Garfield-type fatties. The vet says it's all about portion control. So that's what I do. I feed them in the morning when they knaw on my knees to get me out of bed. Smalls now sits on my face to wake me.
But all the food is gone before we even go to work that afternoon. Brad convinced me to feed them a little more. So I did. THAT is all gone by the time I come home at night. I was worried at first because they weren't running around the house wreaking havoc like in the pre-op days. Today changed my mind completely.
They tore up the blinds, knocked over my fake plant, knocked over the half-full trash, and knocked the laundry basket off of the dryer into the recycling bin. PLUS they wrinkled up our marriage license!
Good to see things are getting back to normal.
I'll post photos soon.
We were so lonely without the cats for all of three days. I can only imagine what torture it must have been for them, all alone in a vet's kennel for the weekend. I guess it showed when we picked them up.
When they brought Smalls out his eyes were huge. He saw Brad and relaxed a little. Brad hugged him while they got Rocky.
Wouldn't you know the biggest crybaby when he's just lying around the house would also be the loudest cat on Earth at the vet. We heard him from the other side of the building. Brad even asked if that was Rocky.
Rocky looked much worse than Smalls did. His fur was mussed, his paws were noticeably more scabbed, and he kept crying.
Once we got them home they insisted on human contact for the rest of the day. They wouldn't let us out of their sights. Poor things.
I keep seeing these cats that are skinny, then get fixed and balloon into Garfield-type fatties. The vet says it's all about portion control. So that's what I do. I feed them in the morning when they knaw on my knees to get me out of bed. Smalls now sits on my face to wake me.
But all the food is gone before we even go to work that afternoon. Brad convinced me to feed them a little more. So I did. THAT is all gone by the time I come home at night. I was worried at first because they weren't running around the house wreaking havoc like in the pre-op days. Today changed my mind completely.
They tore up the blinds, knocked over my fake plant, knocked over the half-full trash, and knocked the laundry basket off of the dryer into the recycling bin. PLUS they wrinkled up our marriage license!
Good to see things are getting back to normal.
I'll post photos soon.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
State game
I wore my ASU shirt to work today.
Appalachian State's football team is in Raleigh, where they just lost to NC State. Am I disappointed? Just a little. I had a feeling they would pull off a win, even if it were a lucky one.
At least they didn't get stomped. I guess that is what the losing team says when it loses, huh? 23-10 isn't bad. I'm sure Brad will tell me the finer philosophical and strategic points of this all, so I'll spare my thoughts.
Today is day five of 10. I switched shifts with a coworker next week so I could go to the James Madison game in Boone next Saturday, which means I had to do my Tuesday-Saturday shift, plus her Sunday-Thursday shift.
The silver lining? I'll have a four-day weekend after that as I go back to my regular shift. Another silver lining? I'll only have to do three days once I get back from that long weekend thanks to our wedding and ensuing honeymoon.
Should I be worried that Hurricane John scraped by our honeymoon destination? I'm sure they've dealt with it before. It'll be fine, right? I should be more worried about the flights. I haven't checked luggage in a really long time (in fact, I think I've only checked luggage once, on a trip to Europe). Maybe that'll be the trend in my airline travel: check luggage when you leave the country.
Awesome.
Oh, and one last thing.
Brad and I were walking home from Pizza Hut yesterday and I found $5 on the ground. However he was holding my hand at the time, so we have to share it.
Appalachian State's football team is in Raleigh, where they just lost to NC State. Am I disappointed? Just a little. I had a feeling they would pull off a win, even if it were a lucky one.
At least they didn't get stomped. I guess that is what the losing team says when it loses, huh? 23-10 isn't bad. I'm sure Brad will tell me the finer philosophical and strategic points of this all, so I'll spare my thoughts.
Today is day five of 10. I switched shifts with a coworker next week so I could go to the James Madison game in Boone next Saturday, which means I had to do my Tuesday-Saturday shift, plus her Sunday-Thursday shift.
The silver lining? I'll have a four-day weekend after that as I go back to my regular shift. Another silver lining? I'll only have to do three days once I get back from that long weekend thanks to our wedding and ensuing honeymoon.
Should I be worried that Hurricane John scraped by our honeymoon destination? I'm sure they've dealt with it before. It'll be fine, right? I should be more worried about the flights. I haven't checked luggage in a really long time (in fact, I think I've only checked luggage once, on a trip to Europe). Maybe that'll be the trend in my airline travel: check luggage when you leave the country.
Awesome.
Oh, and one last thing.
Brad and I were walking home from Pizza Hut yesterday and I found $5 on the ground. However he was holding my hand at the time, so we have to share it.
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