vacation wrap up.

Alas. Blogging again.

And it is a rainy day! bonus.

I've been putting this of for far too long simply because so much has occured. I think I've seen Metric, Gone on vacation to Hilton Head/Savannah for a week, saw Phish, and worked at another store location, and got a stellar new phone! We've also cleaned this house up so damn well and have added things that make it way personal. So where to begin?

Lets start with Vacation (and end with it not really in the mood to go on about the last four weeks). What an amazing time. Of course, when it includes Eric and I, nothing will be conventional. Our vacation started with us landing on the Savannah runway to only receive a voicemail stating that Eric's Grandmother had been hospitalized for a stroke. Unaware of the severity or the lack there of, had us renting the car (a convertible!) and getting to the Hilton Head hospital in a frenzy. We got there to find out that she had a minor stroke, but would need to remain inpatient for the next few days. Also, this vacation was not one that was planned to include just Eric and I. His cousin, her husband, and their new baby were also to meet us up there. Last minute, his aunt, uncle and two other cousins decided to come down. This only added to his grandparents and Aunt & Uncle already living down there. The first few days were revolved mostly around family mostly because of his grandmothers condition and Eric's birthday that was on June 1st.

Our first two nights were spent in Downtown Savannah. Our first night we ended up getting back in the room exceptionally late and settled in with some episodes of Arrested Development. The second night we went around downtown Savannah and knocked back a few at Eric's favourite pub, Kevin Barry's. We had a great time roaming the cobblestone streets as the drinks made us melt into the night-time heat. What an enjoyable night. It was kind of nice to stay in Savannah for our first two nights while everyone was back in Hilton Head. It allocated long drives at night in the convertible enjoying the Savannah nights. Hilton Head/Savannah are such beautiful places. I love the minimal sign-age that is found throughout the island--and how everything is hidden and classy. It was also nice to walk out your hotel and down to the nightlife of downtown.

Our next three nights would be spent at the Westin in Port Royal where our room would be equipped with a private balcony overlooking the ocean. These things occurred in three days/nights; many complaints would be made to the front desk resulting in candy and sodas, hours worth of conversation on our balcony at night, a fantastic birthday dinner followed by billiards, naming and making friends with a huge spider on our balcony, A couples massage/jacuzzi & tons of champagne and the amazing spa, hangin out in the ocean and on the beach, racking up a huge phone bill, and room service that consisted of Nova Lox! The setting of this hotel made it so easy to relax. It seemed like every hotel that we stayed at had a different feel and had a different advantage. We loved the privacy of the balcony at the Westin on the beach but loved the openness and height of the Westin we stayed in on our last two nights overlooking downtown Savannah.

This vacation really rejuvenated us. Especially Eric. He needed this vacation. Normally after 7 months of being here, I am in dire need of a change in scenery. Eric hadn't really had a proper vacation in 3 years so we both indulged in what vacation had to offer. We both made an ecstatic effort to get the new EVO 4G Sprint phones that came out a week or so ago during one of our last days there and now are both enjoying the perks of 4G on the now network.

I think in my head, I still think I am there sometimes. I love how free the week was. How happy Eric and I were (and how i'm glad that transcended so well to our life back home). I wish we could go back there. Although, I wouldn't want to stay again there next year, we decided every other year we will find ourselves in Savannah/Hilton Head. Eric's family has been going there for so many years, so he was so anxious so show me around and that was so great to understand why it meant so much to him :)

some pictures that were taken by Eric and his beloved tri-pod.

Us at Sea Pines

The Westin in Savannah. We stayed here our last two nights.

I loved this hotel.

on the balcony at the Savannah Westin

Erics Birthday :)

Lightning over the ocean.

Eric was messing around with his camera during one of the most insane thunderstorms I had ever been in. We were on our balcony and the thunder was so loud and the lightning just about blinded me. How amazing. This shot was taken at night. Around 11:45 pm. That's how bright this lightning was.

downtown Savannah at night

If you find yourself wondering if there were any downfalls on the trip--there were! No Chipotle FOR 150+ MILES. If you go to Hilton Head you better not find yourself craving your beloved chicken burrito bowl or tacos slathered with barbacoa and sour cream ;)

Life has been good. We have been living comfortably and at the end of the trip it did feel good to come home. After being in so many different clean houses of his relatives and staying in hotel rooms that got cleaned, it inspired me to make a drastic effort to keep the house super clean when we got home. I've been pressuring Eric like crazy to clean is office to make it double as a hang out room since it is so big. Since mentioning, the office has become quite clean and is now equipped with a new 52" flatscreen. Good stuff. Our house is finally ready to show off!

What has been keeping you busy??

"...like we did all summer long"

Happy Fourth of July.

I am noting now I am the least patriotic person, but I cannot fail to add at least a little bit of red, white, and blue.

Dear Week,

Where have you gone?

This week seemed to fly by even though each day was pretty filled up with things to do. So..looking back;

Tuesday: I had ballet! I loved it again, but it for sure kicked my ass. I still have bruises on my knees from having to hold the splits for what seems like forever. It was a great class and my soreness is just now subsiding. After ballet I headed straight to work. I was anticipating to get out early like we have been the past few shifts I have been working. However, unusual amounts of orders came through and we were there until 11:15. In retrospect, it wasn't that bad. I needed the hours.

Wednesday: I went skating and it was my day off! I got a double lesson with this other girl I skate and have ballet with. That was fun. Its always a little more motivation when you have someone else there too. After my lesson I went to lunch with Matthew and after that I went home, got ready and picked up Julie. We just hung out and went to target and took a long walk. We ended up getting picked up by Matt later in the night to go for milkshakes at Steak n Shake and to see Ice Age 3. I have never seen the other ice ages..but I really liked this. It was cute.

Thursday: Work. 12-7. A Great shift! We found XRT on our radio! I could not be happier. One of the best stations ever. Not having music over a long shift is AWFUL. I cannot go that long without it. After, I got a beloved beef sandwich that I was craving ALL during work from Buona Beef. It was so good. I havent had one in awhile either. After that I hung out with Danielle which was a nice change of pace. I really have not been seeing her that much lately--kind of a bummer. I'm glad we were able to catch up. Plus, she is going to school at ISU in the fall. BOO. That's sad. After she left, I called it a night.

Friday (last night): Worked 12-6:25pm! This is a miracle people! Ha Ha. I made 25 bowls of frosting. I was expecting to go in and decorate, but I had to make inserts. It's where you get a mixer, gather all the frosting in the bowls nearly up to the top, add ingredients for color, mix it, and then roll it in saran wrap. From there, it is ready to be put into a pastry bag. It was pretty instense. Took me 5.5 hours and that was getting it done "pretty fast". I liked doing something different. I got to listen to my headphones and just chill out and have my only focus be on doing inserts. So no big. After work, Matt came over and we got Chipotle. This was amazing. My newest thing is eating a light breakfast and going to work and not eating for my whole shift (6+ hours) and then getting what my little heart desires. It always varies though. Note: this is not a good habit! After we ate, we went to Brandons for a little get together with the usual crowd. We had some good laughs. We headed out early and just came home to chill. A good day overall.

I will look forward to tonight where everything is still up in the air. I hate that but I guess I like it at the same time. Whatever. Seeing HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS TOMORROW. BE JEALOUS!

--

It's just a shot away.

We are wrapping up a weekend and I'm sad to see it go. It was jam-packed. Maybe too jam-packed. However, it was a good time. I just wish I wasn't so tired through the whole thing.

Like I said, I did a lot. On Friday, I slept in a little bit and took it easy. I didn't work out. Instead I headed over to my brothers house, dropped off his cookie bouquet (which he liked) , I went to Target, and then headed to Chipotle to get lunch for my bro and I. It was fantastic. When I crave Chipotle, I REALLY crave it, so it's always nice to satisfy that. I went off to work at 2 and got off at 12:30. I then went home where I got up at 6:25 am on Saturday and went to Jamba where it poured for the majority of my shift. I left there at 10:30 and ran an errand with Matthew. After I arrived home around 12, I met up with Danielle and we went to Quiznos for lunch. I NEVER eat at Subway or Quiznos, and I have eaten at both in the past week. Go figure. It always makes me feel like shit, but despite knowing this, it always goes down so nicely. I never actually get sick, but I mind as well with how crappy it makes me feel. I have sworn off awful fast food sandwich (and mostly all other fast food chains. For good.) Ick.

After I ate there, I hung out with my neighbor, Jordan for a bit. We don't hang out too often, but once in awhile we both sit down and just chat. Mostly about the old times and old neighbors and current neighbors. It's nice to have someone that you've known for a long time and knows your surroundings just as well. I love showing off my 3-D chalk too. It blows peoples minds. That is a great 15 minute amusement. But it is a great one. After I hung out with him, Julie came over. I met Julie at skating about a year and a 1/2 ago. She's fourteen, but we have gone through so many similiar things already (competitive skating world and all it goes along with). It's a oldersister/youngersister relationship for sure and I like that because learning goes both ways. She ended up going to dinner with Matthew and I. We went to Greek Islands. It was an incredible dinner--as always. Everyone enjoyed their meal. It was fun to take her out with us. We got all dressed up so that was fun. We dropped Julie off after dinner and headed over to pick Meredith up where we made s'mores and had a bit to drink. Later in the night Matthew and I hung out and watched a pretty good South Park (Make Love, Not Warcraft). We called it quits because I was beat for sure.

Sleep was pleasant. But landscapers at 9:30 on a Sunday? Really?? I was annoyed, but I layed with my eyes closed till 11:22 am. Danielle came by at 12 and we rollerbladed until 1:15. I'm glad I atleast got a workout because all I did was make s'more after s'more in the microwave ha ha. It's amusing and works quite well! I ate some healthy things today, but man did I indulge. THEY WERE EXCELLENT though. I haven't had s'mores (except for last night) in a long long time. It's always nice to have s'more of a s'more... right?

"CHEF ROSS, YOU'VE BEEN CHOPPED." sorry. I love when Ted Allen tells someone they are chopped. I am watching it now. I have been watching the Food Network almost all day today. I want to bake something really soon. It's been too long. I used to cook for my weather class. I miss them. I miss how emotional we all were about that class. I believe everyone had a good cry about that class. Ha ha. Man, oh man. I am so glad that is over.

I open Jamba tomorrow. Getting up early. That is okay though. I am going skating tomorrow and I hope like last Monday, that it is a great skate. I always do better at the start of the week because my body is more well rested. I have to nap tomorrow though. I need sleep. I want to be in bed by 11 tonight. I am glad I was actually able to incorporate my long, exhausting weekend into a few paragraphs, but I am glad that I did. So random tangent. You know what I was thinking today? I was watching a little bit of E! and they were talking about celebrity mothers who have had Post-Partum Depression and how they came public about it. Some of these women (including Brooke Shields & Gwyneth Paltrow) go really public saying things such as wanting to "throw her baby out the window." I understand the kind of depression that can follow, it just sucks that it is so public because when they [their children] get older, they (and everyone else) will know that they caused their mother great distress. Kind of a bummer, huh?

Off to bed. Thank goodness. I think I will read a few pages of Slaughterhouse-Five and get my 7 hours.

-tessa