Mexico Recap

Holy mole!! Can't believe I didn't do a recap of this trip yet. Actually I can. I've been on the go since I got home very late last Monday night. Tis the season, right?
So here's Mexico in one word or phrase:
Airport, 5 AM. Chicago, 7 AM. Meeting up with the girls. Chatting. Plan to PV. Are we there yet? Hot and humid! Red light/green light. Holy panhandlers. Cab Ride. Fiesta Americana. Upgrading to the 9th floor. Walking to Soriana. Unpacking. Showers. Going to the Malecon. Dinner? Sleep! Vallarta Adventures! Whale watching. Snorkeling! Ahhh opposite currents:( Lunch buffet. Cocktails. Feliz Cumpleanos. Tequila! Nap time! Malecon...dinner...walking...sleeping. Breakfast. Pool time! Walk on the beach. Photo ops. Ay Caramba. Hilo. Zoo. New friends from Houston. Rough night:( Massages. Old Towne. OXXO. Pool. Nap. Showers. Barcelona tapas - best in PV. Malecon. Packing. Sleep. Pool. Cab to airport. More gross food. Plane. Chicago. International to domestic terminal. Plane. Home.

Alone

I'm not good at being alone. I don't pretend to be. I prefer to always have someone around me, even if I don't want to talk to that person, I want there to be a warm body somewhere nearby.
I think it's because i've always grown up with a strong sense of community and the credo that "we can't do anything alone, everything is done better with a companion." This can apply to all relationships - work, romantic, friendship and family.
So here's the thing: i'm learning to be alone. I'm learning that it's okay to spend a Saturday night alone. That Friday, Saturday, Sunday - they're just like any other night. There's so much pressure to be constantly doing activities and not doing them alone, i've been conditioned to think that if i'm not around someone else that must mean no one wants to be around me. I'm going to bash this lie with everything I have in me. There are tons (okay maybe not tons) but a few people that would love to spend time with me. You just can't always be around those people!
And it's good to be alone. To replenish your inner energy. To discover and think and find the things that you're good at, so that when you're with those people you have something to bring to the table that will make them feel good too.
Now i'm not saying i'm not going to complain about being alone, but I really am going to try and be better at it.

The Last 6 Days...

SO MUCH GOING ON!! See my next post for deets on the next 30 days of my life!
Volleyball tournament on Tuesday. Losing to the only team that beat us although I truly believe we could've beat them were it not for the mind games. Wednesday getting much needed "roots" fixed up and truly loving and finding new hair girl. Thank you Olivia who also happens to live a couple of blocks away from me. Coming home to pre Kings of Leon party and my first love standing in my apartment. Weird. Supposedly many peoples first love. I don't really care about that. Ha. Bodega then the Schott for the Kings who rocked. And apparently have songs that I have never heard before. At the Rossi after-the-show and staying up WAY too late. Thursday. Someone hustling down the stairs when I wake up for work. Vomit. Vomit. Pick up Kari at the airport and go say hi to mom. Mediocre lunch and two hours at F21. ROWE boutique fashion show. Chatting up Terri Stevens from Project Runway like we're old friends. Models walking a catwalk around a pool. Is this really my life? Kristin is still one of the most kind people I have ever known. Falling in love with foldover boots:) Kari gets to try a Rossi burger and I meet spot some Blue Jackets. This could be a really fun season. Get two Charley Horses. Two for realz. Friday is pancakes and strolling through Short North/Arena District/Downtown. Happy Hour at Hyde Park and Elderflower Martini's. Oh and the Blue Jackets again. Vino 100. Bar 23 with Josh and Joe from High School. Did I already say vomit? Street Meet. Cannot call it Meat. Also disgusting. Waking up very late on Saturday and missing yoga at Lulu. Egg Sandwiches for breakfast made by yours truly. Driving through campus because it's too rainy to tailgate. Going to my mom's to see the kiddos. Back to F21 and back to the airport. Tim Hortons for soup. I still can't walk v good:( Crew game with mom and dad, doesn't rain at all! Yippee. Take a Saturday night off and sleep in on Sunday. Church then grocery store. Returning M.A.C. that I don't need, but really want. Endless activity of putting stuff away. Over to Molly's to watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. Cookies. Ugh Monday and back at my desk. Wishing I could say what I need to say. 6 days. Wow!

Hospitality Management

When I was younger we almost always had a relative come from overseas to visit ever summer. So obviously these people did not want to take a 17 hour flight just to stay for a week. Most of them stayed for at least two. I'm not sure, because i've blocked it out of my mind.
I hated it. HATED IT! It was the worst.
These "people" infringing upon my summer and my "plans" and asking me questions in accents that I loathed. Ugh I was such a brat. I'm embarrassed at the me that used to act like that. My mom and I would constantly butt heads about this.
I would complain and complain about having to get up early and make sure everyone had what they needed even if that included full-plate "American breakfasts." You know what I mean right? Eggs, bacon, sausage...the "Why America Is Fat" breakfast!
So why do you ask am I thinking about this now? Well because I love entertaining! It's so ironic right? The things we used to hate instead of becoming good at, we choose to do now? I love having people over. Cleaning up the house and getting everything ready...We've had people over almost every night that we've lived in our new apartment. Seriously it's awesome. Some stay for ten minutes some stay all night.
Doesn't matter to me-i'm honing my hostessing skills. On which I have to toot my own horn here and say that i've done it a few times this summer (hostessing) that is and i'm not too shabby.
Well I guess that's up to the people who have been my guests, so you'll have to ask them!

Today

I often times think how much simpler life could be? What it would be like if we didn't have to dress to impress or make plans to see our closest friends weeks in advance? I'm sure these thoughts have all crossed your minds too. Here are a few things that simplify my life although they are certainly not very simple:
1. iPhone - we know the story behind my phone and how I comteplated ways to get back my Blackberry Pearl for weeks. No dice now. I heart the iPhone in a ways that I will never be able to use another device ever.
2. Laptop - being able to work and check my facebook, blogs and not to mention make travel plans...nuff said.
3. Caffeine - straight coffee, non-fat lattes, non-fat green tea lattes, non-fat chai's and tea of any variety...thank you liquid energy. Thank You.
4. Shoes - not just any shoes. Great shoes. These can make your day. Whether it's the perfect running shoe, a great heel that happens to be comfortable, a really sick pair of sneakers of the sandals you can throw on with anyone. Instant gratification!
5. Dresses - I can't talk about the shoes without mentioning the dress. I heart the dress! It does wonders for your legs and your spirits. A dress that fits well can change your life. I believe this wholeheartedly:)
6. DVR - is there any other way to watch tv? Besides watching live sports the DVR is a very very necessary piece of equipment!
7. Fashion magazines - I can't keep up with mine! How would I know what's in style if I didn't have these? I'm not going to be inspired at work with all the men and old ladies I work with LOL
8. Vacations - the beach, the city, Vegas, bright lights, beaches, mountains...fresh food, cocktails, no bedtime, no alarm clock! I want I want!!
9. Jewelry - the sentimental kind. The kind that means something and everytime you wear it you feel special. And you remember the person who gave it to you or the exact moment that you bought it and why...that type of jewelry.
10. Physical fitness - i've turned my back on it for awhile, but seriously nothing makes you feel better than putting your body to work!