So I told you last week that we returned from a very wonderful, very warm vacation. I wasn’t lying. Six friends joined us aboard a boat and we cruised through the Virgin Islands. Just like last year. Maybe a few different islands and a few different sights to see, but the outcome was all the same – we had so much fun!
When we explored, I took a camera. But honestly, none of the pictures are very good. I was ready to relax and being creative was not on my list of things to do. I wanted adventure. And adventure is what I got alright.
You may wonder where I’m going with this.
I’ll be upfront and remind you of how accident prone I am.
That’s where I’m going.
We all wanted to go to the Baths, so we ferried to Virgin Gorda and ohmygoodness is that place beautiful! The beach was unlike any I’ve seen. Very rocky, very coarse sand, chickens galore. (Yes, chickens. Stupid birds. I hated them.) And the water was gorgeous. I don’t have any pictures that do the place justice because as soon as we threw our towels down, I was in the water. The hubs had swam out to a big rock and climbed up on it. Being that I was seeking adventure, I followed. I happened to not pay attention how close I was getting or how big the rock was underwater or something of value, because mid-kick my foot hit the rock. And I might add that I’m a ferocious kicker when I’m in the water. The rock didn’t disappoint – I had a cut on my big toe joint and it hurt but I pushed through.
When ended up leaving the Baths to walk through a cave of rocks – we had to climb, wade through water, duck down low and I was sure I’d hurt myself again. I came out unscathed. Tired, but unscathed. We ended up at Devil’s Bay (that’s actually where the damn chickens were) and it was even better beaching. It was such a good day, an excursion that we did all on our own and it was great. Until we got back on the boat and my foot began to bruise. Big, bad blue and purple on my foot. I couldn’t wear shoes without it hurting. I pressed on through dinner though because this girl doesn’t pass up a three-course meal with a decadent desert.
In St. Thomas we explored Blackbeard’s Castle and it was actually a fun time. I think the best thing I heard that day was a guy say, “They’ll take to you the 99 steps which is actually 103 steps.” But we drank rum, climbed to the top of the watch tower, walked through several buildings – I actually got my best pictures there. In Antigua we decided to walk St. John with friends and check out the cathedral. Most disappointing cathedral ever. Only because it was under construction. After seeing what the sidewalks looked like, I can’t imagine how bad a 167 year old building looked. We unfortunately got rained out in Barbados. I blame Rhianna.
But we did have another adventure, in Dominica. Very mountainous, much more so than the other islands we’ve visited. The hubs recommended we go river tubing. Sounded like fun – but I’d like to state for the record that this is the second excursion Mike has recommended that has driven us through the jungle and required a helmet. Just sayin’. The drive to and from the river was ridiculous. Road construction… unlike any road construction I’ve ever seen… I’ve never been scared from road construction until our driver decided to drive backwards for an insane amount of distance to let a large work truck through. Travel aside, the river tubing was fun.
We lost each other floating along but made acquaintance with other folks floating in tubes. We all got stuck. We all tried to paddle our way out of situations. We all hit river rock with our bums. (The guides would call out “BUMS UP!” when a lot of rocks were coming up.) I hit several rocks with my bum and it didn’t faze me. Until I was going through a rapid and slammed into one. It hurt. The outcome was a dark bruise the size of a lemon on my tookis. I still have it and it’s been over a week later. I don’t get it.
So while I had a gimp foot and a large contusion on my hiney, it was still a wonderful getaway. I was so happy that friends could join us and I hope they had a great time as well. We will be cruising again. Probably go on even more adventures that require helmets. I’m just not sure where that might be yet.
I was gone last week. On a cruise ship.
Not the cruise ship that capsized. Thank goodness. But a big floating vessel nonetheless.
I was somewhere warm, sunny, humid enough to turn my dry hands into soft lady-like hands again.
But now I’m back. And it’s raining. And dark. And not so warm.
I missed you.
But not this weather.
Mike and I hadn’t been to a bowl game since the Liberty Bowl back in college (that one will definitely live in infamy). We wanted to go to the Orange Bowl in 2006 but it wasn’t possible. So when the Belk Bowl came around this season, traveling to Charlotte definitely came into discussion. And well… we went to Charlotte.
It was a long drive there. A long drive back. But the good time we had was well worth it!
A little tunnel vision on I-40.
While I was excited about the game, about Coach Strong, about the big Louisville party at the Epicenter and the possibility of shaking Omawarisan‘s hand (which totally happened!), I was most excited about walking through Uptown Charlotte. I haven’t been to a new city with my camera in a while. The morning started out with the worst rain. But the skies lightened and even though the wind blew, we went for a photo walk. (I was excited. The children in our company were not. I can’t blame them… but I love that I got what I wanted.)
The Bank of America Stadium – the battlefield!
I had to snap it. A self-portrait opportunity in street art. It’s completely necessary.
The night of the game was a blast. We walked the path with all the kids games. We visited with the hubs’ co-workers and had our picture taken with the over-sized Charlie Strong head. (Thanks Paula!) We enjoyed the Chris Daughtry concert before the game. There was so much excitement when we took our seats. The stadium was a sea of red – you couldn’t tell where Louisville ended and where NC State began.
Well, you could when the cheering started. We were severely outnumbered. Severely. But we cheered our butts off, tried to stay warm, yelled at the refs… and we left with our heads hanging. We lost. The walk back to the hotel was very cold and very long. It was a sad walk. The drive home wasn’t fantastic either. But, all in all, it was a great trip. The only thing that would have made it better was a W. But you can’t win them all.
Every year I make a list of things that I would like to improve upon. Or continue being awesome at. That being said, I need to clarify that they are not resolutions. The farthest thing from it, actually. I like to make New Year Recommendations – suggestions for self-improvement. Because I lack follow through and don’t want to be disappointed, I never make a finite list. It’s ever growing, ever changing and ever no more than proposal to boost my personal expectations.
So for the New Year, may the year 2012 bring brighter days and silver linings, more time with loved ones, more brownies but fewer inches on my waistline, music to dance to in department stores, Bon Jovi to sing to at the top of my lungs, doggins to cuddle with, new places to explore, new opportunities to learn from, good books to read, good food to eat, learning how not to cuss at my accessory flash (this will probably never happen, people), holding hands with the hubs, continuing to experiment in the kitchen, meeting awesome new people, pushing myself, telling the folks around me how much they mean to me and to turning 30. Or maybe 29 again. That one will be reevaluated in February.
I wish you all a great New Year and may fantastic adventures be in your future. I cannot believe it’s 2012… where has the time gone?
It’s time for another list. Because writing full paragraphs takes too much brain power.
- This is old news now, but did you guys see the Cincinnati/Xavier basketball brawl over the weekend? BANANAS! On that same note: IDIOTS! We’ve said Cincy was thugalicious for years but come on.
- And while we’re talking about sports, it was decided last night we’re going Bowling. Look out, Charlotte, we’re heading your way! Looking forward to a great football game… GO CARDS!
- Have you ever been with your long-time friends with new babies to the mall to visit Santa? No? You should. It’s hilarious. Not because the baby has no idea what’s going on but because mom and dad look like goofballs. I took a mental snapshot that I’ll keep with me forever.
- Cookie Swaps are the absolute best things in the world. The only problem I have with them is I eat way too much sugar the day before making my own cookies to bring to the swap. And then I eat too much sugar at the swap. And then I fall into a state of hypoglycemia and have no desire to eat more cookies. It’s quite sad.
- But my fabulous co-workers love me because they get cookies.
- And then I get a jonesing for vegetables and eat salads and whatnot. What in the…
- Words With Friends. So much fun. Hit me up so we can play.
- No Thanksgivmas this year. After fighting a calendar and settling on a date, a work function had to go and ruin all our fun. *wah-wah* But I do hope we can all at least share a meal together before all the holiday spirit has cleared.
- Speaking of work functions (aka holiday parties), having a friend at one is the best thing since sliced bread. The husbands go talk and banter and have fun. We have each other to keep company when conversations slow down. It’s brilliant and I love it.
- I’ve recently seen page views being linked back to Pinterest. (I love Pinterest. So will you.) And I think it’s funny. I have no problem pinning someone else’s photography epiphany. But seeing my own being linked back? I wonder how long it will take for them to know I’m a nutcase that makes up words.
- Who else is ready for the weekend??
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