Happy 35th Birthday TK!

I wanted to make TK's 35th birthday a hit so, I planned a big Mets-themed surprise party for him and invited 60 of our family and friends. The food was all ballpark food with a few specialties thrown in, like Spanish rice and Guiness mac & cheese. We had soft pretzels, corn dog bites, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and fries...all things you would find at Citi Field without looking very hard. I decorated with pennants, signs, blue and orange. For centerpieces, I got mit-shaped bowls and filled them with peanuts, and I got red and white popcorn boxes and filled them with (you guessed it) popcorn. Then I put together a play list on my iPod that included all songs that TK and I like (because I can't completely trust his taste in music) and named it "Party Like its 1975" because I like to be pithy and insult my husband even when he doesn't know I am. I also rented a tent and spent a large part of my tax return on it.

So, it went down like this...my dad took him, my uncle, his friend Matt and his brother Steven golfing that day. TK was pissed that he had to get up early to golf but if he didn't, people would have grown way too impatient waiting for him to arrive and would have left the party. So he golfed all day and then my dad brought him in for the surprise, and I was the only one to say "Surprise!" Oops. He was slightly surprised though because he knew something was going on but didn't know the extent of the planning, time and money spent on the party, of which I am glad.

After all of the planning, running around, secrets, food and fun, TK told me that this was the best birthday he ever had and it was ALL worth it.

Ah, Desert Bliss

We are back from Arizona and we had a great time. Our hotel, Westin Kierland Villas, was beautiful. We had a one bedroom suite with a balcony. There was a "relaxation pool" for adults at the resort so I took it upon myself to spend a couple days there. A woman even came over and brought me ice water as soon as I sat down. One day I even ordered a frozen beverage and a sandwich for lunch. It was lovely to get pampered. The other days of the trip we were pretty active...see below.

• Monday: We went to the Phoenix Zoo where the animals were closer than I have ever experienced. I even rode a camel. It was awesome! At night we went to the mall and to the Yard House. They had 150 beers on tap and gave us a tour of the keg room. It was a crazy sight and it was great to try beers I have never seen or heard of before.
• Tuesday: I hung by the pool, TK hit golf balls and then we headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. We started out down the street from the stadium at Alice Cooperstown. It was an interesting mix of sports and rock. The bartenders all had black eye makeup designs on their faces. After eating, we headed to the stadium and it has a retractable dome, a pool in center field and a TGI Fridays in left field where you can see the game. The game was great and corn dogs were only $1.50...What? That is unheard of at Citi Field or Yankee Stadium where prices are so inflated that you need to take out a second mortgage to feed a family of four.
• Wednesday: It was a little chilly out, surprisingly, but I managed to drag TK, kicking and screaming, to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Guys don't like gardens? What? Who knew? Well, this garden had mostly cacti, and a butterfly garden where butterflies landed wherever and whenever they wanted. It was so cool to see them flutter all around you. Then, I promised TK that I would go golfing with him, so we did back at our hotel. We had fun and I realized that I could not channel Annika Sorenstam for any of the 18 holes no matter how hard I tried.
  
• Thursday: We went to Casino Arizona which wasn't the best idea because we donated a large quantity of money in a small quantity of time. I left grumpy and with empty pockets. A quick visit to Sonic, however, helped to lift my mood a little bit.
  
• Friday: We headed to Arizona Mills Outlet Center and stopped at Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. I LOVED it there. The waitstaff dances, the t-shirts are inappropriate and the food is delicious. I am determined to visit another location this summer. After shopping, we found the Four Peaks Brewery and sampled some of their beer. I loved the Arizona Peach, it was crisp and refreshing, and TK loved the Leroy Brown which was a little too dark for me. We visited both of their locations in Arizona. Then, we went back to the hotel and got a car to take us out in Downtown Scottsdale. We hit Shotgun Betty's Rock & Roll Saloon first and that was interesting. Not somewhere I would leave my husband to hang out alone for the night but I did like it there. Then we went to a few others, including the Rusty Spur (where we saw people fail at riding the mechanical bull), American Junkie and Dirty Pretty...We were able to hop from bar to bar because people drive golf carts around the street and work for tips. It was really convenient.
  
• Saturday: It warmed up so I lounged by the pool again and then got ready to play another 18 holes of golf. This time we went to the Camelback Inn to do so. The course was beautiful and the cart had a GPS. I sucked again and this time I did in front of a couple from NY that were in front of us. After my poor showing and a little cleaning up, we went to dinner at McCormick & Schmick's and it was delicious.

On Sunday, we left Arizona and headed to Atlantic City because our trip just wasn't over yet. During our flight from Vegas to Long Island, we had to make an emergency landing in Virginia to reroute around some weather and fuel up. It took us an extra 3 hours to get home. All I was thinking was, "It could be worse. We could have crashed and died," and it helped me through a throbbing headache. Then at 3 a.m., we jumped in the car, made a quick pitstop at 7-11 for eyeopeners and headed to Atlantic City. We stayed at the Showboat, lost more money, ate at Carmine's and Ruth Chris.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Arizona and would go back again and Atlantic City was OK and I don't have to go back for a little while but it is an option if I need to just get away for a long weekend.

Back to the Grind....COUGH!

I went back to work on Monday, but, unfortunately, I fell ill and took Tuesday off. That figures! I have a whole week off and go back for one day before taking another day off. Not a great track record, but I have the days stored up so, what the hey! I am not planning to get preggo or have a serious illness so there is no way I am taking 28 sick days during my tenure here.

Anyways, I returned to work with only a few checks off my t0-do list for the week. I did not attend a yoga class, visit any galleries, have lunch with friends or rent movies. But, I did do a few things. My previous post detailed my pioneer visit to Whole Foods and, unfortunately or fortunately for you, that was in great detail. I took a trip to the mall to get some clothes for my trip to Arizona, that is coming up in two weeks, and came back with a tank, a necklace and a headband. Not my idea of a success. I also got my car washed and placed a lovely papaya-scented air freshener on the rear view and had the car inspected, which led to getting new brakes. However, the hub had the whole car inspection and brake attachment done while I was in the city with a friend. We went to the Museum of Modern Art to see the Tim Burton exhibit. The MOMA is an interesting entity in itself. The artwork is great but some pieces don't fit my fancy. I do appreciate and admire all of the art and artists that are present, but wouldn't exactly hang it in my living room or bedroom where it would be in my viewfinder every day. There was a special "live" exhibit where a female artist sat at a table in what seemed to be a red Snuggie across from an empty chair that any guest of the museum could sit in for any amount of time. It seemed to me that she welcomed the viewer into the art and made them a guest in her creativity. Interesting idea but I didn't feel compelled to sit across from her while she kept a stoic expression on her face. Not my idea of good company.

Nonetheless, the Tim Burton exhibit was wonderfully uncomfortable. How's that for an oxymoron? The pieces on the walls were really interesting and kind of frightful too, but that's Tim for ya! There were clever cartoons, detailed sketches, penned letters to Johnny Depp, movie props and models of characters from the animated and live-motion movies he has created through the years. The images were awesome but eery. Innocent yet odd. Bright but dark. I loved it. The $20 price tag on admission is a little steep for a non-profit organization, but Tim Burton was worth it. I may wait until a free or half admission day, which they do have periodically.

All in all, the week was a good break. It started out really rainy, almost flooded but ended up sunny and cool. If only I could breathe out of my nose...now that would be great.

Day 1 of My Break

I'm starting off my stay-cation spring break on Long Island quite strong. I have already checked one item off of my list of things to do this week.

Today I took a ride with my parents to the new Whole Foods in Lake Grove. If you are unfamiliar with Whole Foods, they sell fresh, organic and natural foods in a comforting and modern atmosphere. The store is huge, but the aisles are slim. Maybe that is because they expect the patrons to be skinny as well, but this is not always the case (I know this firsthand). There are employees peppered throughout the store preparing samples for shoppers. I tried a Cajun tuna steak today that was so delicious. It tasted like a Filet Mignon, no lie. I also tried some apple wheat grass drink and if you could taste the color green, this drink is what it would taste like.

They also had recipes hanging from hooks randomly throughout the aisles. I am a big fan of the free take-away, so I obviously took a few of those. However, they do not have a frequent shopper card, which I also love, but I did get advised by customer service to sign up for e-newsletters and sales on their Web site (Check!). I will pay-it-forward and advise you to do the same. The products aren't the cheapest because you are paying for quality and purity, so you should, and I will, try to save money wherever you can. You can also sign up to have recipes sent to your inbox, an added benefit.

After walking around and enjoying the variety, I finally left the store with a few items in my newly-purchased reusable bag. Those items were:

• cold cuts: turkey, ham and yellow American
  
• two loaves of fresh Jewish rye and organic Italian bread, sliced by the baker
• German mustard
• a bottle of hard cider
• 1/2 lb. of chicken salad
• 1/2 lb. of potato salad
• 1/2 lb. of pasta salad
• cocoa butter lotion

I spent a little over $40 but am very happy with the result. I just wish I had a $100 gift card so I could give a few more things a try, like that seasoned tuna steak. Mmmm...

Yay for Spring Break

This week (March 29 - April 2) I have off for spring break. Time off is one of the benefits of working for a college. So, since I have this stay-cation off, I have made a list of things to accomplish while I am spending time on Long Island. These items are not too serious, but they do make a difference:

1. Attend a yoga class at Yoga for Life using the gift certificate I received for Valentine's Day.
2. Go to Whole Foods and buy some "good for me" foods.
3. Go to the MOMA to see the Tim Burton exhibit.
4. Get my car washed.
5. Get my car inspected.
6. Visit the C squared Gallery and the WH Design Studio, both in Patchogue.
7. Go shopping at H&M for Arizona with the gift card I received for Christmas.
8. Have lunch with a friend or friends.
   
9. Rent movies from the Red Box.

And, GO!

Hoping The Deep End doesn't go off the deep end

There is a new show on ABC that I really enjoy. The Deep End is about five first year lawyers at a very demanding law firm. One of the two first year females is the actress that played Deb in Napoleon Dynamite. The partners that mentor the first years at the firm are Billy Zane as the angry one, Nicole Ari Parker as the tough one, Clancy Brown as the nice one and Norbert Leo Butz as the crazy one (he's new).

The first years are brave, smart and charming and I think they are doing what most young professionals, like me, wish they were doing; they are kicking butt and taking names. They are beginning their careers with a full sprint. They are following their dreams no matter who tries to get in their way.

There have only been five episodes, but I am hoping that there will be more. I will go as far as to say that The Deep End is the Grey's Anatomy for the suits and ties of the world. This show is perfect for us Generation Yers who would rather cut people up with words than scalpels.

If you want to see what I am talking about, go to www.abc.com and watch a full episode or five.

Namaste!

I have begun taking yoga classes at work. They are free and taught by a colleague of mine who works in the wellness area of the College. She has the ideal yoga body and really knows what she is talking about, so I completely trust her and take direction from her whenever necessary.

For starters, I bought a new yoga mat because I think everyone should have their own, especially if they are going to sweat, which I have been known to do. I chose the mat in an olive green shade because I thought it would reflect the natural earthiness I am trying to absorb. Hey, every little bit helps.

Unfortunately, there have been some poses that I have felt like a chunk doing because I am trying to fold myself into positions that boobs and rolls do not fit into. My teacher does not have this problem. She contorts into whatever the next pose is with ease. I just get there eventually.

Yoga makes me feel relaxed and active at the same time. Not many things allow for the commingling of both of these emotions, but alas, yoga does. I also enjoy doing something good and natural for myself. Well, except for the part that I make sure not to let out a fart while I am stretching and contorting. If that were to happen, it would be very disadvantageous for me and my fellow classmates. So, as I hold poses, I also hold it "all" in. Ahhhhh...namaste!

I Will Never Learn...Enough!

Another semester begins tomorrow and I registered for two classes this time; Organizational Behavior and Process of Management. They are 100-level classes so I took two just to get them out of the way. I have taken two other classes already, HR Management and HR Law and only have one left to obtain a certification in human resources management. Since I already have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, why not a certificate?

I have three basic reasons for taking MORE classes: 1. It is practically free, 2. I can never learn enough and 3. I enjoy being a student. Some people believe school is torture, but I like cognitive thinking. I enjoy the whole process. Expanding your knowledge base outside of your comfort zone and coming up with answers to questions that you would never ask yourself is just plain interesting. Knowledge is something no one can ever take away from you. That is empowering.

I could have taken classes in art or art history or even communication, but I didn't. I decided that employee relations is something I am unfamiliar with so, why not immerse myself in it at almost 30 years old? No one ever stops learning. It is like Duke says in G.I. Joe, "Now you know and knowing is half the battle." You learn something new everyday, no matter how resistant you are to it and even if it is just that Samoa puts more players in the NFL than any other location per capita. That's what I learned today.

Food Network Fiasco

I began my day today by writing a scathing, yet respectful email to Jim Dolan at Cablevision to describe and submit my displeasure with their choice to yank Food Network and HGTV from my television lineup.

The letter went a little like this:

"Good morning. First let me begin by stating that I am a Cablevision subscriber, with my cable, Internet, and phone provided by your company. I have been a subscriber for almost four years and am very upset by the recent proceedings. I have fast Internet service, which I enjoy. I have reliable phone service, which I am content with, but my television service, because of recent events, has made me very unhappy."

I usually wake up, reasonably late, on a Saturday or Sunday morning and turn on channel 766, Food Network in HD. Normally, I awaken my groggy self by watching Ina Garten, Paula Deen, or Sandra Lee make something so delicious that I wished I had smell-o-vision. But, not this weekend, Saturday there was a white screen where Food Network used to air a statement about how they are "sorry" played over and over, ad nauseam.

I continue:

"I have enjoyed watching the Food Network for years and do not think that it is fair to pull the channel because of a lack of compromise between Cablevision and Scripps. Your subscribers are loyal and have been slapped in the face by this maneuver when we want nothing but to turn on the television and watch what interests us. Families sit together and watch programming from the very channels you have omitted from your services. Your company's job is to provide subscribers with televised entertainment on a regular, reliable basis and we pay a lot for you to do so. You have sullied this experience for us by pulling the two channels from your programming that we enjoy and we will not be satisfied until they return."

I am completely prepared to stand behind this statement. How can I go to bed without Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the TV? I can't! It has already affected my slumber. I put on Food Network because I know scary commercials don't air at night while I am in bed, something I heard Jennifer Lopez say and completely understand because I feel the same way. This is affecting a lot of people's lives, including my own.

"I know that there are a lot of viewers who are angered by the inability to watch the Food Network and HGTV and, unfortunately, I do not think that they will tire from their efforts to restore these channels to their rightful locations on our televisions."

There are a lot of people who are not happy with Cablevision's inability to negotiate a reasonable contract with Scripps. Whenever I bring it up in conversation or on Facebook or Twitter, people chime in with their disgust. This is a travesty and a violation of our rights as Cablevision subscribers and Long Island community members. We cannot be powerless to big business, we must let our voices be heard. I pay a lot of money every month and it is not to get disrespected and brushed aside. I will not stand idly by as my rights and interests are disregarded. I know you may think this a trivial cause, but it is like the late Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." And how true that remains!

Join the cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/427393 or send an ecard http://ilovefoodnetwork.com and help us fight for what we believe in, a life full of recipes we would rather eat than create and television chefs who have our stomachs growling before they are even finished introducing themselves. Ah...the Food Network! Culinarians unite.

Christmasing on Long Island

As I drive along Sunrise Highway and listen to the seasonal music pumping from my speakers, I can't help but notice the many symbols of the holiday emblazoning my path.

Almost every city has a tall tree or pole covered in lights and many even light up a menorah and take the time out to make sure they have the appropriate candle lit for the days of Hanukkah. A little attention to detail that goes a long way to remember those of the Jewish faith. The way a town makes sure to include other faiths during Christmas is an important trait of true Christmas spirit. The individuals that argue to keep Christ in Christmas are those who believe they are truly loyal to their faith, however they are acting as a complete contradiction to their religion. The God that I know accepts all people, all beliefs and all cultures. He does not pick and choose who and what to love. He finds a tiny place for every single individual in His heart and His love is omnipresent. It is the same way that Santa Claus finds a moment of his time for every child at midnight on Christmas. He does not discriminate because even if a child is naughty, they still receive the gift of a Christmas lesson that is priceless: treat others as you would like to be treated, for you will ultimately be judged and you will receive what is just deserved.

Unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle at this time of year, people remember their credit cards and forget their manners. And with this year's recession, it is mutual respect, not money, that is more absent than ever. So, when you spot someone rushing through the mall or the parking lot, just take a moment to be thankful that you can savor the joys of the season, and maybe even stop and smell the cocoa. You will be happy you did because Christmas is not about what you buy, it's about what you give, whether it's a donation, a hug, a kiss, a handwritten note, a tray of cookies or a 55" LED TV. You are actually giving someone their smile and showing them you care. So, turn up the sides of your mouth and smile back, that's what Santa and Jesus would do. As a result, you will be filled with the holiday spirit that just might last the whole year through.

An Art Stroll

Today I was in Patchogue again for an art event because the Patchogue Arts Council keeps planning excellent events. I do love art events, free ones. This one was. It was the Walking Arts Tour of Patchogue for the Patchogue Autumn Arts Fest. I couldn't stay for the poets and musicians because of my sister-in-law's birthday dinner, but I was able to partake in the Arts Tour. There were pieces in the windows along Main Street displaying the creations and collections of local artists. There were wool sculptures that were just so impressive that I thought they deserved their own exhibit. The paintings were very interesting and involved, with an array of colors and techniques. There is a new small gallery called C Squared that has an exhibit with a painting of an elephant that I absolutely love. It is very expressive and it was created by an artist named Dan Wooster. The colors that he uses are so bright and vivid but the image of the elephant is so exact that they just pair wonderfully. I really enjoyed viewing the art and am once again glad that it all came to my neighborhood.

WDW Day 8

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Highlights: Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, Havana Cuban Cafe

Our last full day in Walt Disney World and we are free to park hop and do whatever we want. So, TK and I went to Hollywood Studios to grab a fast pass for Toy Story Mania and then Downtown Disney for lunch. I checked with Guest Relations to make sure we could check in for our flight prior to lunch and sure enough, we could. So we decided to grab a bite at Earl of Sandwich because he needed to try the Hawaiian BBQ sandwich I had a few days prior because I knew how much he would love it. I had the Earl's Club with cheddar instead of Swiss and it was delicious. I don't think there is a sandwich on their menu that isn't delicious. You can't go wrong. After lunch we checked everyone in for our flight and did a little souvenir shopping for Kaitlyn and TK's work friends. Then we headed back to Hollywood Studios to make sure we get on Toy Story Mania for the last time. We had fun and I lost to TK...again! We returned to the resort to prepare for our last dinner in Orlando and Dad said it was out of the resort area but, we would love it.

When we got to Havana Cuban Cafe, it looked like just a regular restaurant in a strip mall on International Drive but, the food was spectacular. I even got to introduce Cuban food to TK and he loved all of it. CG was reading the menu and came to Mofungo. It is a dish where they use fried plaintains and smash them up with pork grinds and put sauce or chicken or whatever you want on it. We didn't eat it but CG and TK are obsessed with the word and I hear it is actually delicious and fattening, like all tasty things are. They started using Mofungo in every sentence: "The car is parked all the way in Mofungo," "How Mofungo was that ride?", etc. Ridiculous. Anyway, we had a combination plate of delicious fried foods and I had Ropa Vieja which is shredded beef with white rice and red beans. It was all so good, especially with Sangria.

After dinner we all headed to Downtown Disney to have our dessert. At Ghirardelli I ordered a Gold Rush for myself and one for TK because he would not share. The Gold Rush was a delectable mix of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, peanut butter and whipped cream topped with a peanut butter Ghirardelli chocolate square. It was sheer creamy perfection!

Back at the room, we played cards and sat around a little bit, laughing and joking with each other because we knew it would be our last night all together and we really cherish the fun we all have. I wouldn't trade family vacations for anything.

The next day we were going to get on our flight to leave the happiest place on earth and I knew it would be another heartbreaker for me. It always is. So, our Disney family vacation of 2009 was over. We had a lot of fun but, it went way too fast and I want to go back already...

THE END

("See ya real soon!")

WDW Day 7

Friday, August 21, 2009
Highlights: Disney's Hollywood Studios, House of Blues, Downtown Disney, Ghirardelli

The number one objective for Hollywood Studios was to ride Toy Story Mania before all the fast passes ran out. We entered the park and headed straight for the attraction in Pixar Place. There was an enormous line just to get fast passes and they limited it to one person per party to obtain them. Of course, that was me. Who else cares that much? So, fast passes were pocketed and some of us headed to Rockin' Rollercoaster to get it in early and the others rode the Great Movie Ride. I really love the speed of the initial blast off and the fact that the whole ride runs with a soundtrack. I wonder if "Love in an Elevator" is the only song that plays while you ride?? (Let me know.) It is my favorite coaster for that reason. Afterward, we went to Starring Rolls Cafe to grab a quick bite because us youngsters did not have breakfast. The chocolate muffin was yummo. Then we all headed to the Chronicles of Narnia attraction which was a big waste of time even though I like the movie. Then we decided to head through One Man's Dream that we all love because it reminds us where Walt Disney World came from and shows us the man behind all that makes us happy. The Magic of Disney Animation is a favorite too because I am an artist even though I do not play one on TV. I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was a kid and now I just do graphic design and draw here and there. We got to see a trailer for Disney's next animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," and it looks good. I have a profound appreciation for the art of Disney. It is still a dream of mine to create for them. So, after dreaming and being awe-inspired, we headed to American Idol Experience to check out this new attraction. Of the three people that performed, the girl who won was the best. It was cool to vote and be closer to the process than you are at home. After the show we headed to Toy Story Mania to finally ride and it was awesome. We all had so much fun. Then we headed to Muppetvision 3-D and then to Pizza Planet for lunch. After lunch CG, TK and I tried to get on Rockin' Rollercoaster again and the parents all went to the Backlot Tour. Of course the wait was too long so, we enjoyed shakes at Min & Bill's. Finally, we decided to go back to the resort and the parents went to see the Beauty and the Beast show.

At the resort, we relaxed and then got ready for our dinner reservation at House of Blues. We took the bus to Downtown Disney and it started to pour so, we all put ponchos over our heads and made it to House of Blues with minimal damage to our ensembles. To begin, I had a Flirtarita and shared the crab and artichoke dip with Mom. Then for my entree I had a Cobb salad which was enormous. After dinner we trekked back through West Side, Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney until we got to the World of Disney Store. I really wanted to ride Characters in Flight but the weather would not permit it. While walking around the store aimlessly, I realized I didn't see anyone I was with and headed back to the room. We closed out the night by playing a little cards. The next day was going to be a free-for-all so there was no particular time we had to awaken.

WDW Day 6

Thursday, August 20
Highlights: Magic Kingdom, Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Epcot

My family took my advice and did not head to Magic Kingdom during a weekend or at the beginning of the week because that is when I heard everyone else goes. Well, I was slightly correct. When we got into the park, we headed straight for fast passes for Thunder Mountain Railroad. I always miss it because the wait is always so long. Then we headed over to The Hall of Presidents and it was amazing to see the likeness that the imagineers created for Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. It was really moving. After the show we went to the Haunted Mansion and I laughed and fake screamed the whole time. TK knocked on AR and UG's doom buggy to frighten AR, and he did. It was a lot of fun. After leaving Liberty Square, we headed to the Country Bear Jamboree to see if the we could waste some time before our fast passes were ready. It was cute but it needs a slight update. Then we headed to Splash Mountain to wait on line to get soaked. We always get pretty wet and enjoy seeing who got the wettest. We made ridiculous faces when the photo was taken before the plunge. I just love the song, "How do u do! Pretty good sure as your born!" After getting drenched and not being able to save our silly picture to our photo pass, we headed over to Thunder Mountain to use our passes. With Space Mountain closed, we had to make sure we rode this coaster. Riding with TK is not as bad as riding with my brother. When we were younger he would squash me against the side with every turn of the train. I think I felt my ribs touch in the center at one point. When we were finished riding, we headed over to Fantasyland and watched TK, CG and Mom spin in the teacups. They were making me nauseous just watching them spin. Mom loves it though, I don't really get it. I did enjoy the soft pretzel I had in the meantime though. All of the rides in Fantasyland had too long of a wait so we traveled to Adventureland for the Tiki Room, which I love, and Pirates of the Caribbean, which I love the most. I am a BIG fan of pirates, fact and fiction. That ride has the best queue too with the cool dark cement caves and flickering lanterns. It is perfectly themed. We got pretty embarrassed on the ride because we got stuck under Davy Jones and held up a whole line of boats. Oops! By the time we got out of Pirates, it was time for a snack so we got ourselves some Dole Whips and they are the BEST dessert in all of WDW. Cool, refreshing and pineapple...perfect. After our treat we had to head to Tomorrowland and try to gain some fast passes for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. That is a family favorite. While we waited, we took a rest in the Carousel of Progress. "It's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day!" Another song that gets lodged in my head after a visit to Magic Kingdom but, I love it! Then we walked right into the Laugh Floor Comedy Club. We sat in the front row and the show was really funny. When we were done laughing, we headed back to Buzz Lightyear and took our Space Ranger Spin. TK always kicks everyone's tail. I think he cheats because he turns the car just as I am shooting Zurg. It is just not fair!

By the time we were done playing around, it was time for our lunch reservation at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the front of the park. We had never eaten there before so we were excited to find out what it was like. It was themed after Lady & the Tramp and serves Italian food. For starters, I had the cheesy bread with bruschetta and tasted AR's cream of tomato soup. Both were very good. Then I had the shrimp scampi but it was a bit under-seasoned so I was satisfied but not delighted. Then for dessert, I shared the ice cream bomb with TK and it was a great ending to a good meal. Mom's dessert was more interesting because there was a picture of Lady & the Tramp made of chocolate dust on her plate. Nice touch!

After lunch, we left and went back to the resort. We got refreshed and headed back to Magic Kingdom to squeeze in some last minute rides. We were able to see Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World and took a ride on the Tomorrowland Speedway. Then...it started to thunder and lightning. I wasn't too effected but the Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks Spectacular were. We headed back through the stores, which were packed, to get to the front of the park. No fireworks this vacation...darn!

When we got back to the resort, I decided I would head back to Epcot for extra magic hours by myself. So, I sat at the bus stop as bus after bus passed by and then...here comes Dad. He didn't want me to have to walk around Epcot alone so he kept me company. The bus finally came and we made our way around the countries first stopping at Mexico to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour practically alone and then continued through the countries to ride Maelstrom in Norway. It was nice to spend some time with my Dad alone. That usually doesn't happen on a family vacation of 9+. We got back pretty late and went straight to bed. Tomorrow we are heading to Hollywood Studios pretty early. Ready to ride my favorite...

WDW Day 5

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Highlights: Animal Kingdom, Tusker House, Fantasia Gardens mini golf, Artist's Palette

No more relaxation. We were heading to Animal Kingdom and for early extra magic hours. When we got in, the turnstiles were broken so there was a very large crowd gathering at the entrance of the park. They dealt with the problem rather quickly and before we knew it, we were in and making our way around Discovery Island. We headed straight for Expedition Everest to get our fast passes and were actually able to get more than we needed because half of my family was not interested in riding. After that we took a ride and said "Jambo" at Kilimanjaro Safaris. It was early in the morning so I was hoping we would see more animals than we would later in the day. Sure enough, I was right! I got a bunch of good photos of elephants, giraffes, Thompson's gazelle and a lazy warthog, among others. The safari is always a family favorite. Afterward, we headed back to Expedition Everest to ride twice. I got a little queezy going backwards the second time but was a trooper. After riding, we headed to Finding Nemo - The Musical to meet the rest of our family. They were already sitting in the crisp air-conditioned auditorium so we found some room next to them and were ready for the show. The costumes and scenery had such vibrant colors and the puppets were so animated. It was Dad, Mom, AR and UG's first time seeing it and they really were pleased. After the show, I needed food. We had burgers at Restaurantosaurus and they really hit the spot. Then we hit Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King and It's Tough to be a Bug. Then we decided to walk through Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and view Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade before our reservation at Tusker House. It is the first Disney parade I have actually seen in a few years.

At Tusker House, Dad made a lot of disappointed noises while eating. He is really not into the African food that they serve there. I liked some of it but would have rather eaten at Boma or Jiko. The hummus was a little too watery for my liking but I had a bottle of Safari Amber that I could only get at Animal Kingdom or AK Lodge so, that was pretty special. With that, Animal Kingdom came to a close and without riding Kali River Rapids, unfortunately.

Back at the room, I passed out for a little bit on the couch but got up with enough time for TK and I to go play mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens. We played the fairways course and it was HARD. I wasn't expecting to win and almost had a temper tantrum because I was not playing up to par, pun intended. After a hurtful loss, we headed back to the resort and I took a walk down to Artist's Palette to scoop up a snack for TK and I. I got TK a chicken and artichoke flat-bread and myself a pepperoni flat-bread and refilled my refillable mug with Coke Zero. I even got a free sugar cookie because our flat-breads took way too long and one of the chefs felt bad for me. After my walk back to the room with heat lightning darting across the sky, we ate and headed to bed. Tomorrow we are going to Magic Kingdom with another wonderful time to be had.

WDW Day 4

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Highlights: Saratoga Springs Spa, Downtown Disney, Spirit of Aloha Luau

It is a great feeling when you wake up in the morning and know you are headed to a spa to get pampered and have the ability to concentrate on your personal health and wellness. That is how Tuesday began. Mom, AR and I headed to the spa for our appointment to relax and revitalize and TK, Dad, UG and CG headed to play golf at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Mom and AR were receiving the Disney Vacation Club package that included a massage, a facial, a pedicure and a manicure. I signed up for the Mystical Forest Therapy which included a massage and reflexology. We were shown to our lockers and changed into the robes and slippers provided for us. Then we went to the lounge to wait for our separate appointments. My massage was nice. She covered my back, neck and head. Then she started on the reflexology which focuses on your feet. I felt bad for Amanda, who was my masseuse because she had to rub my feet after a day at Epcot and a day at Typhoon Lagoon. My piggies were not looking or feeling their best. She used a special Mystical Forest Lotion that smelled like mint and a garden after it had rained. She even gave me the remainder in a little cup so I could use it for the next few days. After my services were done I went back to the locker room to wait for Mom and AR to finish. I knew it would be about an hour until they were done so I put my bathing suit on and enjoyed the sauna (so hot), steam room (could barely breathe) and the jacuzzi (lovely). I enjoyed each twice and showered before I went in the jacuzzi each time. Then I sat on a chaise lounge with a magazine about rich Floridians and pretended I could afford to visit the spa once a week. One can dream, especially in Disney. Finally the ladies were done and I showered for the last time, washed my hair, did my hair and got ready to go, using all of their complementary toiletries of course. Then we headed back to our respective rooms to drop off our bathing suits and prepare for a little visit to Downtown Disney.

We walked to Downtown Disney and stopped at the Earl of Sandwich for lunch first. I got the Hawaiian BBQ sandwich and it came with grilled chicken, ham, pineapple, cheddar cheese (because I hate Swiss) and barbecue sauce. It was sooooo delicious. I also got a Strongbow cider to wash it down because I just love that stuff. It was pretty inexpensive for the sandwich but I had to be crazy and add an alcoholic beverage and a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips to it so it got a little more pricey. Then we trolled around the shops and found ourselves heading into Ghirardelli for a little ice cream. We weren't hungry enough for a sundae so we all got cones and kept walking. I had Rocky Road and it had real mini-marshmallows in it. The only negative was that it started melting immediately after exiting the ice cream shop. It even dripped on my flip flops at one point. Oops!

When we returned to the room, the guys were already there and we all started to get ready for the luau. We were all decked out in Hawaiian gear. TK and I even had ensembles straight from our Hawaiian honeymoon. When we got to the Polynesian resort I was excited to cross an item off of my life list: Drink a cocktail out of an actual pineapple. They sell a drink at the Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian resort called Lapu Lapu that is served in a pineapple. TK and I bought one for everyone which cost us a small fortune (even with the Tables in Wonderland discount) and then we all headed to the luau pavilion. We received itchy yellow flower leis, which I inherited from the rest of my family because they couldn't take the itchiness around their necks, and took a family photo upon walking in. I completely loved the show and the food. The pineapple bread was so soft and sweet and the salad was so tart and tangy that I would have been content eating them all night but knew that the ribs were on their way. The ribs were moist and delicious, much better than the ribs we had prior at Whispering Canyon. We also had veggies, chicken and rice. I enjoyed the fact that the Bud Light was all you could drink and did just that. The dessert was a little volcano called a Kilauea Volcano Delight and a delight it was not. I was not a fan. The show was great though and I strategically went to the bathroom at the exact time they asked if there were any couples celebrating an anniversary. I have gotten pretty good at avoiding eye contact at attractions as to not get chosen to participate in any embarrassing stunts. CG actually called me on it during the luau but it still worked. I saw an actual Hawaiian luau in Maui on my honeymoon and enjoyed Disney's version slightly more. I mean it was amazing just being in Maui but Disney just made their luau more fun. So, after the luau and the numerous photos in front of the Polynesian foliage, we headed back to the room to get to bed before our next day at Animal Kingdom. Aloha!!

WDW Day 3

Monday, August 17, 2009

Highlights: Contempo Cafe, Fishing, Typhoon Lagoon, Maya Grill

We woke today and headed to the Contemporary Resort. We had a fishing reservation but had to eat breakfast first. My family doesn't miss a meal. We went to the Contemporary Cafe (annoyed they didn't accept our Tables in Wonderland card) and I had waffles with caramel and bananas. Delicious! Then we went outside to the marina to wait for our boats. TK, CG, and I started chatting with one of the guides and we knew she wanted to hang with us and not the older folks. So we boarded our boats and let the challenge begin ... parents vs. kids. The trip was fun because our guide was a down-to-earth professional angler and I pet a wild bird who hung out on our boat for a little bit. We ended up not actually winning but, I am not sure if my Mom counted the turtle she hooked as a fish. Poor thing ...

After fishing, TK and CG headed back to the resort, and the rest of us headed to Typhoon Lagoon. By this time, the park was packed and hot. We started out by scoping out a spot and then we hit the lazy river. I asked a cast member where I could find an opening to the river and after I got my answer, he sprayed me with his water bottle. Funny way to flirt with a married woman that was dressed like a lifeguard but, whatever works for you. The lazy river was fun, but definitely not lazy. UG was pushing me under waterfalls and Dad was spinning me around and bumping me into Mom. After all that laziness, I was starving so Mom and I went to grab some lunch. I had a yummy chicken wrap and skipped the fries. Then we headed into the wave pool for a bit. My Dad loves it and UG always swims way too far in. I, on the other hand, always get punched when I duck under the waves. When we had enough, we decided to hit the Crush N Gusher and then head out. Dad, UG, and I went to wait in line and picked up a three-person tube on the way up. When we got up to the top the cast member told us to get in the tube with the lightest in the front and the heaviest in the back and after that, we knew we were going to fly through the ride. And, we did. I thought we were going to tip over at every turn, but had a great time. It was Dad's first time on it and he loved it. We then reconvened with everyone else at the lockers and left the park.

When we arrived at the resort, TK and CG were heading out to the pro shop to hit some golf balls. I went up to the room and got ready for dinner. We had a reservation at the Maya Grill in Coronado Springs. We all got dressed and headed to Downtown Disney to catch a bus to Coronado Springs. TK and CG got to Coronado Springs before we did because there were a few too many stops to bear before we got there. I had the Caesar salad to start and it was like a romaine heart with dressing. It was one of the best salads I have ever had. Then I had a seafood platter and the Churro dessert with vanilla ice cream. Everything was good but the salad was the highlight. After dinner, we headed back to the resort to relax and get ready for the day to follow. Tomorrow is our spa day ...

WDW Day 2

Sunday, August 16

Highlights: Epcot, Whispering Canyon Cafe

Up early on a weekend to head to Epcot Center. One of my favorites. We took the bus to the park for Extra Magic Hours and started at Future World. We made sure to head to Spaceship Earth first because it had been refurbished and I cannot remember the last time we actually rode it. We enjoyed the end when our photos got placed on cartoons that we could email to ourselves. Then we scooped up fast passes for Test Track but headed to Soarin'. I do love that ride but didn't wear flip-flops so the wind couldn't blow through my toes. The scents and the breeze are my favorite parts of that ride. 

Then we headed back to the other side of Future World and did Energy, Mission Space, and by that time, our fast passes were ready for Test Track. We were done with all of Future World that we cared about by 1 p.m. and were shocked. So then we traveled to the countries, which I love.

We started from Mexico but just viewed the countries from the outside because we were starving. My Dad said we never ate lunch in the countries and decided on China for our midday meal (I would have chosen the Electric Umbrella if anyone asked me, but have to branch out). I ordered the vegetable stir-fry and was very displeased. Tofu lovers would be happy with this dish but I think tofu tastes like a dish sponge so I was not a fan. Good thing Mom got a funnel cake in the U.S. and AR got a Grand Marnier smoothy in France. I mooched off of both. My Dad actually saw a friend of his from back in NY while in France. What are the chances? The only country attraction we partook in was America and we saw the Voices of Liberty while we waited for the show to begin. They can make some crazy faces while singing but have very beautiful and powerful voices. I enjoy their rendition of Oh Susanna when they make banjo noises with their mouths. It is great. Then the American Adventure show made me get a little misty, especially when I saw the images of 9-11. Good thing it was dark in there or I would have been made fun of. 

After America, we walked through the other countries and did a little shopping. We stopped at the Rose & Crown, of course. I love it there. I ordered a Cider & Black because I love Strongbow, TK ordered a Black & Tan, and UG, CG, and Dad ordered beers. We never eat there, but we do drink! After we finished our beers, we headed to Innoventions to see if the characters were there for our Disney Visa photo shoot, and THEY WERE! We took pictures with Mickey and Pluto, and they even made TK get down on one knee like he was proposing to me ... again. He was embarrassed. Then we left the park to return to our resort.

After relaxing for a little bit, we got ready for dinner and headed to the Wilderness Lodge. I had never been there but knew exactly what I wanted to see when I walked in: the humongous fireplace, Humphrey the Bear at the bottom of the totem pole so I could rub his nose, and the Fire Rock Geyser. I checked in at the podium and waited forever, but that just meant I had enough time to sightsee and to build my ravenous hunger. After sitting on a rocking chair in front of the fireplace for a bit, TK and I took a walk to see the geyser and it went off just two minutes after we got over there. I felt kind of lucky. The Wilderness Lodge is just immense and amazing. It is a huge atrium with wood carvings, dark fabrics, and a rock formation pool. If I had the money, I would choose to stay there. Then, my pager went off.

We ordered our drinks, which came in a mason jar, and the skillet. It began with a bowl of salad, cole slaw, and cornbread. The salad had a wonderfully tart vinaigrette dressing that I really enjoyed. Then they brought the big bowl of meat. It had pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. The pulled pork was my favorite and the ribs weren't messy enough for me. The skillet also came with beans and mashed potatoes. TK is a mashed potato aficionado and he thought they were some of the best he has ever had. Then the games began. CG asked for one too many sodas so the waitress brought him a huge jug of Coke Zero. Then he tossed AM's fork on the floor and the waitress brought over a huge wooden fork. We were cracking up but were prepared for the antics. After we filled our bellies and said, "see y'all" to the Wilderness Lodge, we returned to our room and played cards well into the night. Tomorrow we are going fishing.

Disney Trip Report

It has been a week and a half since I returned from Florida and Walt Disney World. It just went too fast because we only stayed for eight days. We had a great time and laughed a lot. Read on to find out what we did every day. Here is my first installment...

Participants:

TK = My husband

Mom

Dad

AR = Aunt Rosie

UG = Uncle George

CG = Cousin George
AA = Aunt Annie
AM = Aunt Marie

Saturday, August 15

Highlights: Saratoga Springs, Turf Club, Jellyrolls

Our flight was pretty early to Orlando so when we arrived it was about 11 a.m. We went on the Magical Express and left our bags for the ME to collect for us. We headed straight to Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to check in and see when our room would be ready. None of our family was there yet. Our room was not ready so we decided to go to the Artist's Palette and have lunch. I had the Toga Wrap and New England Clam Chowder. The chowder was watery but the wrap was delicious, so I made a mental note that if we had to eat lunch at the resort again, I would repeat this experience. We purchased the refillable mugs, which we bought at a discount because my Dad is a Tables in Wonderland dining discount cardholder. Big plus! 

Another big plus was the appearance of Coke Zero as a choice of beverage. Then we changed into our bathing suits, which we wisely stowed in our carry-ons, and enjoyed the High Rock Springs main pool. It is a rocky zero-entry pool with a slide. I went down the slide and my dad waited for me at the end. All of the other parents were gathered around waiting to see their children come down and here I came, almost 30 years old. It was fun though! Then my mother and I took a dip in the jacuzzi. TK wouldn't go in the pool because he was relaxing, so he decided we should get a drink up at the pool bar. Then Dad told us that UG and AR arrived, so we headed back to the lobby to greet them. They were able to get their room and I was able to transfer mine and TK's tickets to our room key so we only had to carry around one card. So, we waited for our room to be ready in UG and AR's room. We got to see what our two-bedroom suite looked like and I listened to my iPod chock full of Disney songs while I sat on the balcony. 

We finally got our room and our luggage so we could get ready to go to our dinner reservation at Turf Club Bar & Grill, which was located in our resort. At dinner, I shared the steamed mussels and tomato bisque appetizer with TK. It had the right amount of tang and creaminess, and the goat cheese was a great touch. For my entree, I had prime rib which was very moist and Yukon mashed potatoes which were tasty. After dinner, TK and I ordered the apple pie dessert and then we headed to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk Resort. It is a dueling pianos bar where the audience can request songs and sing along to well-known tunes. TK kept telling me to request ridiculous songs like One by Metallica and Bawitaba by Kid Rock. I had just arrived at Disney so, I decided to wait a little while before being embarrassed. They played the Unicorn Dance song and everyone got up like they knew the words and the dance but, I just improvised. A bunch of my family members ordered some Sex on the Beach drink that was 32 ounces and looked like it came in a bucket. I just ordered a few Blue Moons. When they discovered the drink was too sweet, they kept pouring it into my AM's cup when she wasn't looking. She wondered how her drink was so full and walked in a zig-zag to the bathroom as we giggled watching her. So the jokes and antics began ...We went "home" soon after I had scream-sang to enough songs to give TK a headache. We were ready to get to the parks the next day with Epcot first on the list.

Quite Meticulous

I am in the process of packing for my upcoming vacation. The packing method for me is a pretty lengthy one. It actually starts months in advance. Here are the steps I take to prepare myself for some time away:

1. When I know a big trip is coming up, I start going on websites, like WalMart.com, and start requesting samples for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, detergent, etc. This helps because I hate filling up little travel bottles with the shampoo and conditioner that I use on a daily basis and these samples are free! I collect them in labeled Ziplock bags in my linen closet and then pack enough to last me my entire vacation.

2. A couple of months before the trip, I start looking on clearance racks for clothing. This includes tanks, shorts, skirts, etc. It is best to shop for these items when the back-to-school items first come out because stores are trying to get rid of their summer stuff. I save these items in a plastic bag in my closet until it is time to pack them.

3. Then, the actual packing starts a couple of weeks before the trip. I make lists of bottoms and tops and match them up to my itinerary to see what I want to wear on what day for what activity. Usually, I have a day outfit and a night outfit because when I travel to places with hot or humid weather, I have to shower midday to doll myself up for the night.

4. Then, I make a spreadsheet that includes the itinerary, the outfits and a check box to make sure each item is packed on the list. After all outfits are scheduled for their appropriate day, I iron them all and pack them chronologically, with the first outfits of the week on top and the following days' outfits underneath, in order of appearance. This is just in case I do not take my clothing out of my suitcase the entire trip so I do not wrinkle anything searching through my packed items for that day's outfit. Pajamas are not put in order though. They are paired top with bottom and folded in the corner of the suitcase, un-ironed. Also, undergarments and bathing suits are tucked into the pockets of the suitcase to be grabbed at will.

5. Then the toiletries are packed in my toiletry case, with some things in Ziploc bags so they do not leak (The samples included). The toiletry case also gets all of my jewelry, which is mostly fake and cheap because I wear the expensive stuff on my person when I travel.

6. Then I make sure I have my bag that I will take on the plane all set with a book, my iPod, magazines (but I usually buy these at the airport), gum for motion sickness, socks (for when my feet get cold on the plane), a sweatshirt and playing cards. This year I will have to pack a bathing suit in my carry-on as well because our luggage may not arrive in our room as scheduled. I actually have a Vera Bradley rolling duffle for all this fun stuff, with matching travel organizer and toiletry pouch.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 for TK. I have samples of deodorant, shave lotion, etc. for him as well.

I know this all seems like an insane and scrupulous process but, it is what keeps me from getting severely unhinged when I am on vacation and trying to have the time of my life. It also saves time while I am on vacation so I do not have to worry about wasting time looking for something when I could be out the door in a jiff!

Presently, I am up to step 4 with less than a week to go so, I've got time.