Friday, January 16, 2009

Amsterdam bound

Looks like I am off again to Amsterdam! City of canals, Anne Frank, the Red Light district, bicycle lanes, tall dutch people, that weird smell coming out of "coffee shops", and....Idexx! Be back soon.



Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I love Mexico

My first trip to Mexico was in 1990. I was 13 and my parents took me to the Yucatan. We spent one week touring the ruins, snorkeling, riding public transportation and sharing a room with my brother. The 2nd week of the trip was just my mother, sister and I on a small island, Isla Mujeres. I probably was a brat the entire trip, but I have nothing but fond memories and knew I wanted to go back.

The next time I went to Mexico, it was almost 10 yrs later. It was 1999 and I was living in Phoenix. Some girlfriends and I took a long weekend across the border to a party town called Rocky Point. I still don't know if that is the real name or not. I just know that I was 23 and I don't remember much of that trip accept that I liked being in Mexico again.

My 3rd trip to Mexico happened 5 years later in 2004. I was dying to check out the west coast. So Tabatha, Jenn, Mandie and I met in San Diego. We bummed a ride into Tijuana, down to Rosarito and ended up in Los Gaviatos at our rental condo. We spent an entire week hitching rides, laying on the beach, dancing, and being girls. It was my first trip with a group of really close friends and I knew that this was the way to do it.

My 4th trip to Mexico happened just 2 years after that, in May 2006. I wanted to revisit to the Yucatan this time. So me, and my childhood best friends (Tab and Michele) booked an all inclusive 5 night trip to Playa Del Carmen. Even though I came down with a cold, my face was swollen and I got sun poisoning, I still loved the trip. I laughed so much on that trip, that my ribs were bruised. I think Tabatha won the award for most entertaining.

My 5th and most recent trip to Mexico happened in Dec 2007. I had recently moved to Oregon, I was in love and my roommate at the time had convinced me to check out this surf town called Sayulita. So I flew with Amy and her boyfriend at the time to Puerto Vallarta. We decided to go big on the rental, since we collectively had 5 people staying with us. Wow. I have never stayed in a more beautiful place in my life. A NYC friend, Ariana, flew to meet us and then a couple days later, Eric flew in to meet me. This was a big step for us as a couple. It was our first vacation together and it's where I confessed my love to him. (cheesy, I know). I still dream about being there with him. It changed my life. We both share the same passion for that country.

Right now, I am planning my 6th trip to Mexico. We leave at the end of March. This time it will be with my new family, Eric and Jace. We are returning to the Baja for a week of playing, surfing and adventure. I am hoping Tabatha can join us, since she and I have been exploring Mexico together for 5 years now. I also need a girlfriend there so we can laugh on the beach and pretend to be 23 again.

Here are some photo memories. Click it for a bigger version:

Saturday, January 3, 2009

14 years old is a tough age

For all of you out there with teenagers....I FEEL for you! I am having my first real dose teenage angst. attitude and on-going power struggles. OY VEY...what a challenge. If you have kids and they haven't reached puberty yet, get ready. Here's a good documentary to check out. PBS aired this a few years ago, but I think it still applies.

Teen Brain

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/



I have to hand it to my parents. I know I was a horrible teenager and I made their lives a living hell. This is my karma coming back to teach me a lesson.