While Mac and I were gone, Jimmy hung out a lot with some other husbands/dads whose families either left for the summer like us or hadn't gotten to Bogota yet. Now that everybody's back, one of the new families hosted a cookout for all of us to meet everybody. One of the boys is in Mac's grade at CGB and they had a ball playing together, and I loved meeting new people!
For new friends, I am truly thankful.
Monday, August 22, 2011
NYR 8-19-11 - Delta Airlines
As you may remember, I have had a hate/hate relationship with Delta Airlines. The dregs of society used to work for Delta in the Charleston airport and therefore my trips always (ALWAYS!) started off on the wrong foot because of some surly woman who for instance, made me give up 3 pounds of black-eyed peas when we were going back to Mozambique after Mac's birth. We were hauling 300 pounds of luggage back and 3 pounds really made a difference? Really? Didn't she know I was hormonal and suffering from mastitis and was taking my precious 5 week-old back to the heart of Africa and I NEEDED THOSE PEAS FOR MY TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S LUNCH THE DAY AFTER WE LANDED??????
But I digress.
I am very happy to report that there have been some changes at the Delta counter in Charleston and the new employees at least have to know how to work their smile muscles. I knew that one of our suitcases was over 50 pounds but I decided I'd make adjustments at the airport. The lady was very nice and didn't even make me get down to exactly 50. Can you believe it?
We had a great flights from Charleston to Atlanta and Atlanta to Bogota. We even had individual entertainment centers on the flight out of Atlanta! I got to watch two whole, uninterrupted movies of my choice while Mac watched his movies.
For a greatly improved Delta experience, I am truly thankful.
But I digress.
I am very happy to report that there have been some changes at the Delta counter in Charleston and the new employees at least have to know how to work their smile muscles. I knew that one of our suitcases was over 50 pounds but I decided I'd make adjustments at the airport. The lady was very nice and didn't even make me get down to exactly 50. Can you believe it?
We had a great flights from Charleston to Atlanta and Atlanta to Bogota. We even had individual entertainment centers on the flight out of Atlanta! I got to watch two whole, uninterrupted movies of my choice while Mac watched his movies.
For a greatly improved Delta experience, I am truly thankful.
NYR - skipping ahead to catch up
I know you, reader, don't necessarily feel the same angst as I do over not keeping up with my New Year's Resolution daily postings, but it's weighing heavily on me. Last year's NYR - running a half-marathon - was never going to happen and I pretty much knew that as I was dreaming it up, but this year's NYR was - and still is - very doable. But right now, I just need to start with the last couple days and add in those missing few weeks over the next few days. Otherwise, I'm never going to write anything down because my neglect is weighing me down so heavily. Sorry for the jumping around!
In other news, yesterday Jimmy, Mac and I were going to ride our bikes and were stopped at the corner by our apartment, waiting for the light to change. As we stood there, an SUV, a police motorcycle (with his lights on), and another car following the motorcycle pulled up. We thought somebody was getting pulled which doesn't happen all that much around these parts so we settled in to watch the action. Well faster than we knew what was happening, the policeman jumped off his bike, a guy jumped out of the follow car and they all rushed to the back door of that lead SUV. Two people jumped out and the guy we then identified as a bodyguard (from the follow car) hustled those two people into that building faster than you can imagine.
WHO WERE THOSE PEOPLE? If I knew they lived there and weren't just visiting, I'd stake out a spot across the street to maintain my lookout post until I figured out who these VIPs are (or until I was arrested for stalking).
In other news, yesterday Jimmy, Mac and I were going to ride our bikes and were stopped at the corner by our apartment, waiting for the light to change. As we stood there, an SUV, a police motorcycle (with his lights on), and another car following the motorcycle pulled up. We thought somebody was getting pulled which doesn't happen all that much around these parts so we settled in to watch the action. Well faster than we knew what was happening, the policeman jumped off his bike, a guy jumped out of the follow car and they all rushed to the back door of that lead SUV. Two people jumped out and the guy we then identified as a bodyguard (from the follow car) hustled those two people into that building faster than you can imagine.
WHO WERE THOSE PEOPLE? If I knew they lived there and weren't just visiting, I'd stake out a spot across the street to maintain my lookout post until I figured out who these VIPs are (or until I was arrested for stalking).
Sunday, August 21, 2011
NYR 7-24 through 7-29 - a week in the cool mountains
7-24: We arrived in Maggie Valley, NC at Jimmy’s mom’s vacation place and knew the first thing we wanted to do on our first day there was go tubing in Deep Creek. My family used to go tubing there when we were little and I knew Mac would love it as much as I did. And I wasn’t wrong!
For passing on some of my treasured childhood memories to my child, I am truly thankful.
7-25: Today Jimmy, Mac and I went with Jimmy’s stepfather to Cataloochee Valley which is one of the most beautiful, peaceful places I’ve ever seen in the United States.
The valley was populated over 100 years ago and now is just a lovely protected piece of history and beauty. We saw an elk, lots of turkeys, and some butterflies as well as some houses, barns, church, and school from the original settlement. For a chance to live for a few hours that “Little House on the Prairie” lifestyle that I always wanted as a child, I am truly thankful.
7-26: After my catastrophic rafting experience in Colombia over the Memorial Day weekend, I have sworn off whitewater rafting for awhile longer or maybe forever. But Jimmy and Mac went to raft the Nantahala today with Jimmy’s nieces. They had a ball and assured me I could have done it in my sleep but I much preferred drinking my strawberry smoothie and reading a book, both of which caused no panic attacks like the rafting probably would have!
For my boys having a great time on the river, I am truly thankful.
7-27: Jimmy, Mac and I went on an amazing hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. Beautiful stream with waterfalls and a natural swimming hole, fresh air and good exercise. For that, I am truly thankful.
We also went into Cherokee for the evening. The major objective was to see “Unto These Hills”, an outdoor production that’s been going on for 60+ years to chronicle the history of the Cherokee Indians, particularly around the time of the Trail of Tears. But because it’s the touristy town of Cherokee and there are a million ways to part you from your money, Jimmy and Mac went gem mining. I’m still waiting for all those rubies and sapphires and emeralds to be made into something to adorn my ears and fingers…
7-28: Today we took a final trip to Deep Creek which didn’t end so well for one of Jimmy’s nieces who ended up at the hospital with a big toe broken in four places. Jimmy, Mac and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. For another afternoon on a brilliant day in the cool water, I am truly thankful.
7-29: For a send-off breakfast of blueberry pancakes at Joey’s Pancake House, which was one of my dad’s favorite restaurants in the mountains, I am truly thankful.
NYR 7-23-11
On our drive from Northern Virginia to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, we stopped off at Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Virginia to see the fruits of labor of two of Jimmy’s Georgetown classmates. A few years ago, chasing a dream of the wife to become a winemaker, they bought a piece of property an hour outside of DC. They dug in the dirt, drove post holes in, and planted grapes. They also built a fabulous building for tastings, storage, etc. The place is amazing and beautiful and I urge you to visit.
For folks who go out on a limb to chase their dreams and actually make their dreams come true by good old-fashioned hard work, I am truly thankful.
P.S. After we left the winery, we drove on I-81 for what seemed like days to get to North Carolina. We’d just gotten on 81 in what is a very residential, suburban area and a black bear came ambling across the interstate. We’re talking a major interstate highway. Jimmy saw it coming out of the median and swerved on the shoulder of the road to avoid contact. Can you imagine how we would have sounded to Hertz had we called and told them we’d hit a black bear in northern Virginia with their rental car?
NYR 7-17 through 7-22 - a week in DC
I am truly thankful...
7-17: for safe road trips and happy reunions and dinner at P.F. Chang’s
7-18: for visits to the Capitol, Library of Congress, Botanic Gardens, Air and Space Museum, and American History Museum (and air conditioning in each of those places) AND for a meal at Ben’s Chili Bowl that didn’t induce a heart attack
7-19: for discovering a new favorite restaurant in Washington, DC - Founding Farmers – that you simply MUST eat at the next time you’re there. Plan your meal in advance here.
7-20: for visits to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (money, money, money!) and the National Cathedral; a fabulous lunch at one of my old favorites Café Deluxe; a sobering but educational visit to the National Holocaust Museum; and a delicious dinner with old friends at a great Vietnamese restaurant
7-21: for surviving a really HOT visit to the National Zoo and yet another visit to the International Spy Museum and I can't remember what else because it was so stinking hot
7-22: for a White House tour (which I always love) after waiting outside for about 40 minutes on what was the hottest day in Washington, DC on record since something like 1926 (121 with the heat index) AND living to tell the tale (although I don’t think my sweat glands will ever be the same); for a light, refreshing lunch of a tomato salad at the Old Ebbitt Grill (perfect for a hot summer day); for a lovely late-afternoon visit to the Lincoln, Korean War, World War 2, and Vietnam War Memorials
7-17: for safe road trips and happy reunions and dinner at P.F. Chang’s
7-18: for visits to the Capitol, Library of Congress, Botanic Gardens, Air and Space Museum, and American History Museum (and air conditioning in each of those places) AND for a meal at Ben’s Chili Bowl that didn’t induce a heart attack
7-19: for discovering a new favorite restaurant in Washington, DC - Founding Farmers – that you simply MUST eat at the next time you’re there. Plan your meal in advance here.
7-20: for visits to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (money, money, money!) and the National Cathedral; a fabulous lunch at one of my old favorites Café Deluxe; a sobering but educational visit to the National Holocaust Museum; and a delicious dinner with old friends at a great Vietnamese restaurant
7-21: for surviving a really HOT visit to the National Zoo and yet another visit to the International Spy Museum and I can't remember what else because it was so stinking hot
7-22: for a White House tour (which I always love) after waiting outside for about 40 minutes on what was the hottest day in Washington, DC on record since something like 1926 (121 with the heat index) AND living to tell the tale (although I don’t think my sweat glands will ever be the same); for a light, refreshing lunch of a tomato salad at the Old Ebbitt Grill (perfect for a hot summer day); for a lovely late-afternoon visit to the Lincoln, Korean War, World War 2, and Vietnam War Memorials
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Letters from me
Dear Blog: I have neglected you and I am terribly sorry. There's just so much from the summer for which I am thankful for my new year's resolution of an "attitude of gratitude". I promise to catch up on 5 weeks (!) really soon. Love, ME
Dear South Carolina Drivers: You may be the most inconsiderate and poor lot of drivers that I have ever seen. Do you not realize that you are driving tons of heavy metal that cannot stop on a dime when you're riding my back bumper and I have to stop for whatever reason but you're not paying attention because you're too busy looking down at your text messages? And the driver of that car that came to a screeching stop this morning before running a red light and barreling into my car? THANKS A LOT. Drive the speed limit in the 35 mph zone, pay attention, and maybe you'd see the light before you're going under it. Oh, and although I have a different rental car now and no longer am driving the one with a license plate from New York, I get it that you don't like cars from NY and by association, their drivers. I know you think I'm "from off", but I'd go toe to toe with you in a battle to see whose family tree roots run deepest in South Carolina dirt. So stop looking at every driver in a car with plates "from off" like they're the devil incarnate and stop waving your hands around in the car behind me to try and speed me along. On principle, and to teach you bad drivers a lesson, I'm now a devotee of driving the speed limit. Love, Me
Dear Sweat Glands: Wow, have you worked hard this summer. After nearly a year in Bogota where the temperature is usually a cool 65 with no humidity, you'd gotten out of practice of doing your job. And then I dropped you into a sticky, sweaty inferno with record-breaking temps that went on for record-breaking lengths of time. I think you have rid my body in 7 weeks of everything that it's been harboring from your lack of use over the last 11 months. Thank you. I'm leaving the sticky, sweaty inferno tomorrow for perennial spring, so you can go back into hibernation. Your service has been greatly appreciated. Love, Me
Dear Bogota: I am ready to go home. Vacation has been tons of fun but it's hard to be in vacation mode for 7 weeks. I know you don't believe me, but it's true. Try it. I'm looking forward to normalcy and routines and cooking dinner and tennis class. See you tomorrow night. Love, Me
Dear South Carolina Drivers: You may be the most inconsiderate and poor lot of drivers that I have ever seen. Do you not realize that you are driving tons of heavy metal that cannot stop on a dime when you're riding my back bumper and I have to stop for whatever reason but you're not paying attention because you're too busy looking down at your text messages? And the driver of that car that came to a screeching stop this morning before running a red light and barreling into my car? THANKS A LOT. Drive the speed limit in the 35 mph zone, pay attention, and maybe you'd see the light before you're going under it. Oh, and although I have a different rental car now and no longer am driving the one with a license plate from New York, I get it that you don't like cars from NY and by association, their drivers. I know you think I'm "from off", but I'd go toe to toe with you in a battle to see whose family tree roots run deepest in South Carolina dirt. So stop looking at every driver in a car with plates "from off" like they're the devil incarnate and stop waving your hands around in the car behind me to try and speed me along. On principle, and to teach you bad drivers a lesson, I'm now a devotee of driving the speed limit. Love, Me
Dear Sweat Glands: Wow, have you worked hard this summer. After nearly a year in Bogota where the temperature is usually a cool 65 with no humidity, you'd gotten out of practice of doing your job. And then I dropped you into a sticky, sweaty inferno with record-breaking temps that went on for record-breaking lengths of time. I think you have rid my body in 7 weeks of everything that it's been harboring from your lack of use over the last 11 months. Thank you. I'm leaving the sticky, sweaty inferno tomorrow for perennial spring, so you can go back into hibernation. Your service has been greatly appreciated. Love, Me
Dear Bogota: I am ready to go home. Vacation has been tons of fun but it's hard to be in vacation mode for 7 weeks. I know you don't believe me, but it's true. Try it. I'm looking forward to normalcy and routines and cooking dinner and tennis class. See you tomorrow night. Love, Me
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