Category Archives: travel

life’s little mishaps

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Last night, before The Bachelor Finale party (side note: watching The Bachelor with my girlfriends is so entertaining and really, the only reason to watch it) at my place, Kelly and I got pedicures. This was a last minute decision on my part, but it worked out. As we were chatting, I commented on how I didn’t realize how early she’d be getting in to Vegas today for our girls’ trip, since Sarah and I aren’t getting in until tonight. Her response was, “You mean Wednesday, right?” And in that moment, I knew we’d had a serious break down in communication.

She checked the hotel reservations, and sure enough, they are only for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Somehow between all of our emails, texts, and phone calls, the lines got crossed and what Sarah and I understood as a trip that would start Tuesday night, Kelly understood as Wednesday morning.

All I could do was laugh. I mean, what else could I do? I found this seriously comical. And then the texts that followed between me and Sarah had me rolling on the floor (not literally) because they were so funny–I would share, but they were inside jokes and the explanation would kill the humor.

I never worry about stuff like this, especially since Sarah is about as easy going as they come when travel is involved. So, I told her that I would just call Christy (who I’d been hoping to see anyway) and see if she would be a total lifesaver and let us crash at her place…oh, and pick us up at the airport. (Quick disclaimer, I would never ask such a thing if I didn’t know that I would do this very thing for someone in a similar situation.) I was laughing about the whole thing even while I left a message on Christy’s voicemail.

Thankfully, it is working out beautifully. Christy is going to pick us up and let us crash at her place. We are saving money on one less night in a hotel. I get to see Christy who I adore. All is well in the end.

The moral of the story (besides just being funny) is that, at least in my opinion, things really do always work out, especially if you believe that they always work out. Once again I will thank my mother for teaching me this lesson over and over and over again so that my instant reaction in these situations is to laugh rather than freak out. And really, how much better is this vacation story already? Can’t wait to see what the rest of it holds!

my dad is old (and other random thoughts)

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I got to go to Utah this weekend to spend it with my entire family for my dad’s 70th birthday. I am number four of five siblings and my dad was not super young (at least not by the standards of the time) when he married my mom. It makes sense. But it’s weird to think he’s five years older than my grandpa was when he died. Life and death. Such interesting things to think about.

Anyway, it has been four years since my entire family had been together. Coordinating such a gathering for 17 people is kind of crazy. That’s right. There are seventeen of us now. In my effort to not overly orchestrate the entire thing (I tend to be the planner of these things), I made no real plans other than we would be going to dinner on my dad’s actual birthday. It was great. And low stress. We played in the snow. We played at this indoor gym. We played at my brother’s house. And we ate. And ate. And ate. And ate. (Pictures of the gathering and playing to come…I did not take any eating pictures.)

Oh, and I ran with my younger brother and sister-in-law. And by with, I mean we followed the same route. They are both quite a bit faster than I am to begin with and then you add in the altitude that I’m not used to, and well, I ran 9 miles for their 10.

So, a couple of thoughts from the weekend:

  1. I love my family. I mean, we have issues, but I really do love them. Especially my nieces and nephews. 
  2. I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the world. (I’m not biased at all…). Seriously, from the 16 year old to the 2 year old, they are just so adorable. It is so fun to see them develop and grow and become their own little people (or big people…my nephew has got to be at least 6′ now). I also decided I cannot have children because the odds of cuteness just aren’t in my favor. I mean, after seven absolutely darling cherubs (it’s a term my grandma loves), I can’t imagine I would get so lucky. And they LOVE me. There’s nothing that makes me smile more than my nieces or nephews say, “Hi Auntie Chlo-Chlo” or “Cwo-Cwo” as is the case with two of the littles.
  3. Running at altitude is not easy when you’re not used to it. And running down the canyon that has no been plowed and has four inches of fresh snow…is cold and wet. Really wet. More to come on this. It deserves it’s own post.
  4. My family is a bunch of enablers when it comes to eating. Doesn’t matter how hard you try, somehow my sister and her “I need a treat” just sucks you in. And of course, she’s the skinniest of us. (Okay, I’m really just putting the blame on her…we all did it.)
  5. I love that I have somehow managed to get my brother and sister-in-law on this road race bandwagon. While I don’t love that I’m the slowpoke, I do love that they will be running the half marathon with me a few weeks from now.
  6. I am too old to be flying the redeye and thinking I will somehow be functional. At least I was smart enough to plan to work from home today, so I got to take a little nap. But seriously, not my favorite thing. And this time around, I had a kid who decided he needed to lay on my shoulder while he slept. I was annoyed. 
  7. I love New York, but someday it’s nice to take a break every once in a while!
  8. And this has nothing to do with the post, but everything to do with my week as I’ve been listening to this album non-stop (when I haven’t been hanging with my fam) since I downloaded it last Tuesday. Adele is just amazing!

And one more.

stuck in utah and a small victory

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I spent a few hours at the SLC airport yesterday, waiting for my delayed flight…delayed flight that never was. Fog in Chicago ended my hopes of getting home yesterday and so, I am still in Utah. The good news is that I am “stuck” with my family and a bunch of good friends, so it’s not so bad. And, while I was supposed to hang out with the lovely Sarah and her boyfriend in NYC, I will get to see her when she returns tonight. And thankfully, they were staying in my apartment in New York, so my plants aren’t dead and my mailbox isn’t overflowing.

While I was sitting at the airport for hours, I ran into my darling cousin Maddie who was on her way to see her sister, Ali, and her new niece. Then, as luck would have it, my favorite running partner, Anne, was at the airport with her husband waiting for their flight to DC. I hadn’t met him before and I hadn’t seen Anne in almost two years (since we ran the SLC half marathon together in April 2009). They came to my gate to see me off just as I found out I wouldn’t be going anywhere and kept me company while I waited for Southwest to call me back and my dad to return from P-town to pick me up. And, had I waited just a little longer before going back through security, I would have seen Puz, who was on his way back to Germany via Paris (that will be me someday).

All in all, the hours in the airport were far from wasted. And then, because I was in town last night, I was able to attend Jenna’s bro-in-law’s b-day party and see a lot of my favorite people from NYC; Jenna, Alisa, Sara, and Kevin.

Now, when I found out my flight was canceled, I realized I would be able to get my run in…fast forward a few hours and I have almost forgotten about running entirely.  I got home, ate dinner with my fam, and then headed over to the party. I wasn’t planning on staying very long, but I do love my NYC friends and I do hate missing out on anything… At about 8:30, I thought, “If I want to get my run in, I should probably head home.”

But then I was having fun talking to everyone and I hate missing out on social time. I texted my brother around 8:40 to make sure I’d be able to use the treadmill (it’s in my brother and sister-in-law’s bedroom). No response. And so I kept procrastinating. Finally, at 9:00, I knew that if I didn’t leave right then I wouldn’t have time to get my three miles in. It was decision time.

These are the moments when it’s so easy to say, “It’s just this one time. I won’t skip tomorrow, but today I really want to hang out with my friends.” The problem is that there is always some excuse. Always. And so, as hard as it was, I left my friends and headed home to run.

The good news is, I got the run in. The bad news is I am very out-of-shape in the running department, so the “run” was a little painful and even slower than usual. I just have to remember that it’s all progress as long as I’m doing it. And now, for the songs that got me through yesterday’s run:

I Want You Back – The Jackson Five
Stop – Jane’s Addiction
The Way You Make Me Feel – MJ (apparently, Michael and I were having a thing yesterday)
I Think I’m In Love With You – Jessica Simpson
Summer Love – JT

There were others, but those are the ones I remember that helped me keep going. I had forgotten just how much I love Jane’s Addiction. Maybe because liking them makes me feel very old. Anyway, I got the run in and felt very satisfied as I went to sleep last night. Today…no running. Just strengthening…toning video, here I come.

new york!

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I’m here! I have lots to share, but for now, I need to get some sleep. After two long days including flying across the country, unpacking, shopping, and sight-seeing, I’m pretty dang tired. However, a couple of posts are in the works…and one will have pictures of my FABULOUS apartment.

However, before I go, I want to give you a brief log of my activities so far:
Arrived in NY to be met at the airport by Candice, Mark, and kiddies…and then Sarah at my apartment. Had a lovely dinner. Unpacked. Slept. Checked out my new gym. Signed up for a personal trainer. Worked out. Purchased Metro card. Lunch in Union Square with Sare. Shopping for organizational type items. Coney Island with Sare, Candice, et al,including a Nathan’s Hot Dog. First celebrity sighting in NY (other than at a show I was paying to see): Tracy Morgan (of 30 Rock) in line in front of me at the concession stand at the movies. Movie.

Not bad for a little over 24-hours in a new place.

It’s too bad I have to start working eventually, although given the bills that I’m racking up, it’s probably a good thing.

food glorious food

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I spent the weekend in NYC with three of my favorite people; Sarah, Candice, and KP. We did much. But to begin with (since this will require multiple posts) I’m going to chronicle our gastronomic adventures!

It started with lunch with a woman at my summer internship company…at a fabulous little place called V-Cafe. I didn’t take any pictures (somehow I thought it might not be appropriate?), but I must say it was delicious, and pretty affordable for NYC.

Dinner was at Isle on Bleeker (a short walk from my summer digs–as in less than a block); a delightful little Thai place.

Dessert was at Grom. An incredible gelateria also in my neighborhood. Living in Greenwich Village is going to be awesome…and very, very fattening.

The plan for Saturday was to go to Brooklyn for lunch at The Good Fork, a fabulous dumpling place featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. However, when we looked at the site online to find the address, we discovered that The Good Fork isn’t open for lunch. So…Max Brenner it was! Eventually, I will make a trip to NYC without a visit with Max, but really I didn’t mind at all. And really, the spinach and goat cheese omelet…amazing!


Kelly got a yummy panini with fantastic waffle fries.

Why yes…that is chocolate on my biscuit. Thank you for asking!

As if chocolate for brunch wasn’t enough, we made a quick stop at Levain Bakery on the way home. Seriously, Sarah brought KP and me a few of these delicious cookies when we were all in Chicago last month. They were incredible. But fresh? No comparison. My favorite is the Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip. No shocker there!

Ahh, and then there was a late night feast at Junior’s. We went after seeing Guys and Dolls (more to come on that later). Totally enjoyable! I love a good Reuben! I didn’t necessarily need the milk shake. But it was good.

But my absolute favorite of the weekend? Pommes Frites, authentic Belgian fries. For those of you who don’t know, I spent a semester in Belgium when I was a sophomore in high school. There is nothing like Belgian fries. Another “for those of you who don’t know”, fries are actually Belgian, not French. And these fries? Totally authentic. They even had European mayonnaise (they call it fry sauce at Pommes Frites). I know that mayonnaise with fries probably sounds disgusting, but I assure you, it is not.

I have often tried to explain how the fry stands in Belgium were, and I don’t think I’ve ever done them justice. This place? Exactly how I remember them (not the look, but the process). For anyone visiting NY (who also enjoy fries), Pommes Frites is well worth a visit. There isn’t much room for sitting, but it’s supposed to be a fry stand, not a restaurant.

Notice the cone in the guy’s hand (above). This is how the fries are served.

And in this picture, you can see the different sizes.

And finally…Doughnut Plant. We got there late, so the selection was limited, but still fabulous! My favorite? The Creme Brulee. Normally I’m not really a filled doughnut fan, but this was incredible! (The pictures with the borders were taken by KP and her fabulous fish eye lens.)

Oh wait…and finally, frosting shots and cupcakes from Babycakes, a vegan bakery. Really, I’m not gonna lie, this was not my favorite of the trip. Maybe if I was vegan and needed something like this to satisfy my sweet tooth, I’d feel differently, but…I’m not and I don’t. Hallelujah! Oh well. It happens. I will say that I didn’t bother wasting the calories once I realized that I didn’t like any of their stuff.

Thankfully, I had another doughnut to end the trip on a satisfying note! Wouldn’t that have been sad? A whole weekend of gourmet eating, only to end with some less than great cupcakes.