Here's some random stuff:
Last weekend Annie, Poops, Arpi and I went to Hershey PA to see justin timberlake and jayz on concert. They were AMAZING. and then the next day we went to the beach, which was pretty awesome too.
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Back at it
Monday, October 1, 2012
Traveling - another reason I love Italy
There are soooo many comfortable places to sit, relax and wait for your flight at the Napoli airport. In fact right now I am lying down on a comfy leather couch reading. And I am not in any sort of lounge or anything. I'm literally in a normal waiting area. I wish us airports were this nice.
On top of that airport food is pretty damn good. I just had a pizza because I'm trying to keep it low key but even that was made from scratch just how I wanted it! No wonder people feel like American food is so processed, unhealthy and fake. This trip will definitely affect my eating habits when I get home. (well, whenever I can eat full meals again).
T minus 25 hours until I am home! And I get to see Corrin again tonight, yay :)
On top of that airport food is pretty damn good. I just had a pizza because I'm trying to keep it low key but even that was made from scratch just how I wanted it! No wonder people feel like American food is so processed, unhealthy and fake. This trip will definitely affect my eating habits when I get home. (well, whenever I can eat full meals again).
T minus 25 hours until I am home! And I get to see Corrin again tonight, yay :)
Friday, September 28, 2012
Day 14: 9/27/12 - One of the worst days ever
I really like traveling alone. I enjoy the me time and don't really get lonely or crabby. This day was different. This day was one where I would have paid millions to be able to be teleported back to my parents' place and be under their love and care. All that makes me happy about it is that it is now the next day and I am writing about it after the worst is over.
I woke up early this day, without an alarm, which, if you know me, is very very unusual for me. I quickly realized why. My stomach and intestines had raged a war. Let's just say for the next 5 hours I was in the bathroom at least every 20 minutes, expelling everything in my body, including 2 sips of water and even "nothing" when I hadn't ingested anything. Let me tell you, there is not a much more miserable feeling that that, and I didn't even have the energy to cry.
I reached out to my friend in London who had had something similar recently and she not only told me what OTC meds she took but was kind enough to call the concierge at my hotel who was then able to go get them. I tried those and they didn't work either.
After the 6th or 7th hour straight of this I decided I needed to see a doctor. Luckily the concierge (who I HAVE to write a thank you note to) was able to call one who came to my room in an hour or so and spoke some English. This guy was my savior. He gave me two injections to stop everything and the prescribed a bunch of meds to help on an ongoing basis (both of which I have taken multiple times over the last 24 hours). He said I had some gastroenteritis but that I wasn't too badly dehydrated and that I didn't need to go to the hospital (thank God). Also, he had to give me the injections in my vein (he had to mix it with some of my blood?) and I have to say, this guy was so skilled at that, more than most of the phlebotomists I have ever been to. I wish he was my doctor in the US!
After he left I basically slept for the next 16-18 hours only getting up to print my boarding pass, pack and expel everything in my body only 2 or 3 more times (that is progress my friends!). By the time midnight rolled around I was feeling about 50 percent better and knew I would be able to continue on to Capri but holy moly, that was awful. Like one of the worst days I have ever had. I'm so glad it is over.
I woke up early this day, without an alarm, which, if you know me, is very very unusual for me. I quickly realized why. My stomach and intestines had raged a war. Let's just say for the next 5 hours I was in the bathroom at least every 20 minutes, expelling everything in my body, including 2 sips of water and even "nothing" when I hadn't ingested anything. Let me tell you, there is not a much more miserable feeling that that, and I didn't even have the energy to cry.
I reached out to my friend in London who had had something similar recently and she not only told me what OTC meds she took but was kind enough to call the concierge at my hotel who was then able to go get them. I tried those and they didn't work either.
After the 6th or 7th hour straight of this I decided I needed to see a doctor. Luckily the concierge (who I HAVE to write a thank you note to) was able to call one who came to my room in an hour or so and spoke some English. This guy was my savior. He gave me two injections to stop everything and the prescribed a bunch of meds to help on an ongoing basis (both of which I have taken multiple times over the last 24 hours). He said I had some gastroenteritis but that I wasn't too badly dehydrated and that I didn't need to go to the hospital (thank God). Also, he had to give me the injections in my vein (he had to mix it with some of my blood?) and I have to say, this guy was so skilled at that, more than most of the phlebotomists I have ever been to. I wish he was my doctor in the US!
After he left I basically slept for the next 16-18 hours only getting up to print my boarding pass, pack and expel everything in my body only 2 or 3 more times (that is progress my friends!). By the time midnight rolled around I was feeling about 50 percent better and knew I would be able to continue on to Capri but holy moly, that was awful. Like one of the worst days I have ever had. I'm so glad it is over.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Day 12: 9/25/12 - No wingwalking. Sad face.
It's actually 9/26 and I am in Berlin but I don't want to fall TOO far behind so thought I'd write at least a quick recap of yesterday.
-Wingwalking was canceled because of the rain and windy weather. It ended up being beautiful and sunny but still too windy for us to go out. Sad. Sad. Sad.
-I did some laundry and lazed around and read in the morning.
-then I had lunch with Eyal and ate one of the best burgers ever. It was soooo good to see my old LT75 friend and he made me want to go to burning man more than I even have wanted to before.
-then I went over to Malte and Steffi's for a bit to watch Lukas because Steffi got super sick. Poor girl :( also poor kid - he was so overtired, also not feeling well and confused with the new people and so he was having a hard day too :(
-then had a lovely dinner with Corrin at the most delicious tapas place and of course with great conversation. I miss that girl so much!
Now I am in Berlin which is already such a fascinating city. More tomorrow when I'm not exhausted from the early am flight!
-Wingwalking was canceled because of the rain and windy weather. It ended up being beautiful and sunny but still too windy for us to go out. Sad. Sad. Sad.
-I did some laundry and lazed around and read in the morning.
-then I had lunch with Eyal and ate one of the best burgers ever. It was soooo good to see my old LT75 friend and he made me want to go to burning man more than I even have wanted to before.
-then I went over to Malte and Steffi's for a bit to watch Lukas because Steffi got super sick. Poor girl :( also poor kid - he was so overtired, also not feeling well and confused with the new people and so he was having a hard day too :(
-then had a lovely dinner with Corrin at the most delicious tapas place and of course with great conversation. I miss that girl so much!
Now I am in Berlin which is already such a fascinating city. More tomorrow when I'm not exhausted from the early am flight!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Day 11: 9/24/12 - Great times with great friends in London!
Short post today but had a great day, despite the pouring rain and freezing temperatures. I slept in at Corrin's place and then headed over just a couple blocks to see Steffi and the cutest 1-year old ever - Lukas. We spent the afternoon playing around and catching up. I can't believe the last time I saw her she was just starting to tell people she was pregnant! We had lunch at this cute little place called Med Kitchen and then I headed back home.
I took a little nap and did some reading and soon it was time to call the wing walking place to confirm that we were on for tomorrow. Saddest. News. Ever. They told me we had to cancel because he weather was going to be too windy. I am so bummed out, I had been looking forward to this for months :( Well, I guess that just means that I will have to come back to London in the spring.
After that I headed out to dinner with Corrin and two of my section-mates from bschool. It was really nice to just chill and catch up. Then Corrin and I headed back home, caught up for a bit and went to bed. A nice relaxing day in the middle of a hectic trip!
I took a little nap and did some reading and soon it was time to call the wing walking place to confirm that we were on for tomorrow. Saddest. News. Ever. They told me we had to cancel because he weather was going to be too windy. I am so bummed out, I had been looking forward to this for months :( Well, I guess that just means that I will have to come back to London in the spring.
After that I headed out to dinner with Corrin and two of my section-mates from bschool. It was really nice to just chill and catch up. Then Corrin and I headed back home, caught up for a bit and went to bed. A nice relaxing day in the middle of a hectic trip!
Day 10: 9/23/12 - Merci beaucoup Paris, hello London (part 2)!
Today was not only the last day in Paris but also the last day with mom and poops, booo!
We started the day pretty early with another breakfast buffet at the hotel and then stashed our stuff so we could head to the Louvre for the morning. We also were luckily able to buy our tickets to the museum at the concierge desk so we didn't have to wait in line at the museum. We got there and got in pretty speedily and basically did a quick tour of the highlights of the museum - Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, etc etc. We also saw a couple things that were new to me, mostly the basement part where there is the statue of Rasmus (I think that is what it is called) and then some of the original parts of the Louvre from when it used to be a fort.
After we left we lounged around a bit outside and then walked down the Rue de Rivoli to find a patisserie for mom to get dessert, but since it was Sunday lots of stuff was closed and we couldn't find anything :(
We headed back to the hotel, ate a little lunch and headed to the train station. The return back to London on the Eurostar was the same as getting there - pretty easy but freezing cold! I also love the assigned seating, I wish Amtrak had it in the US instead of the bum rush for seats that it usually is.
Once we got back to London we were actually all taking the same subway so we got in together. About halfway to heathrow I had to get off to go to corrin's, so I sad a said goodbye to mom and poops who headed to their flight.
It was crazy rainy in London but I pretty easily found my way to Corrin's new flat, yay! She and her roommate had just moved in today and it's so nice of her to still let me crash with her. We chatted and caught up for a bit and then headed to PJ's place for dinner.
We got lost on the way there (and were the worst house guests because we brought nothing!). PJ had so graciously out together a set of British foods and we hung out with him, his man and Florian for a bunch of hours and even played some Settlers!! It was so wonderful to see some of my ACT trainers again. Of COURSE we did our Ai Se Eu Tu Pego dance and also made Corrin watch the video from training. Haha. So much love.
After that we just headed back to corrin's apartment and hit the sack for the night. I'm a bit bummed because it is so rainy here and is supposed to rain all week which means I probably won't be able to do wing walking. So so so sad :(
We started the day pretty early with another breakfast buffet at the hotel and then stashed our stuff so we could head to the Louvre for the morning. We also were luckily able to buy our tickets to the museum at the concierge desk so we didn't have to wait in line at the museum. We got there and got in pretty speedily and basically did a quick tour of the highlights of the museum - Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, etc etc. We also saw a couple things that were new to me, mostly the basement part where there is the statue of Rasmus (I think that is what it is called) and then some of the original parts of the Louvre from when it used to be a fort.
After we left we lounged around a bit outside and then walked down the Rue de Rivoli to find a patisserie for mom to get dessert, but since it was Sunday lots of stuff was closed and we couldn't find anything :(
We headed back to the hotel, ate a little lunch and headed to the train station. The return back to London on the Eurostar was the same as getting there - pretty easy but freezing cold! I also love the assigned seating, I wish Amtrak had it in the US instead of the bum rush for seats that it usually is.
Once we got back to London we were actually all taking the same subway so we got in together. About halfway to heathrow I had to get off to go to corrin's, so I sad a said goodbye to mom and poops who headed to their flight.
It was crazy rainy in London but I pretty easily found my way to Corrin's new flat, yay! She and her roommate had just moved in today and it's so nice of her to still let me crash with her. We chatted and caught up for a bit and then headed to PJ's place for dinner.
We got lost on the way there (and were the worst house guests because we brought nothing!). PJ had so graciously out together a set of British foods and we hung out with him, his man and Florian for a bunch of hours and even played some Settlers!! It was so wonderful to see some of my ACT trainers again. Of COURSE we did our Ai Se Eu Tu Pego dance and also made Corrin watch the video from training. Haha. So much love.
After that we just headed back to corrin's apartment and hit the sack for the night. I'm a bit bummed because it is so rainy here and is supposed to rain all week which means I probably won't be able to do wing walking. So so so sad :(
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Day 3: 9/16/12 - I still love Lisbon!
My second day in Lisbon was just as great as the first but very different - way, way more chill. But first, two things I forgot from yesterday:
-Lisbon has this pastry it is famous for this dessert called 'Pastel de Nata'. I tried this last night and let's say that over the last 24 hours I have had 2 more! It's basically this flakey crust filled with custard, flamed on top and then sprinkled with cinnamon. I mean, could there BE a pastry that is more made for me (name that tv character)? The first picture below is of it (pretty bad quality - have no way of getting photos off my camera and so had to take a picture of the camera screen from my iPad. Ghe. Tto. I know.)
-My new friends made a hilarious comment last night ... They said that one of the reasons it is clear that I am an American is because of my hair. I was like what? And they said "all American girls have straight hair. You have really straight hair". I could not stop laughing because it is so true! Even those of us who do not have straight hair, a lot of us make it so!
Ok ... On to today. I met up with J, H and G today, starting for breakfast at 12noon (after I got totally lost on the subway). Then we basically spent the next 4 hours ambling around the city - walked up to the castle, through all these little streets and neighborhoods, to a bunch of viewpoints, through Roissi plaza and up the Avenue de Liberdado. Exploring a city like this is absolutely my favorite way to travel while i enjoy sights I WAY MORE enjoy experiencing a city for what it is and really get a feel for what life is like there. Everything I saw just further enhanced my view of how fabulous this city is. Also, they say that Lisbon is the city of seven hills and I will definitely be feeling that tomorrow. It's ok though, all part of the quest for calves of steel. Two pictures below - the first of this side street/set of stairs we walked up. I kept saying "this looks like Disneyworld" (so American, I know) because you never see streets and buildings and atmosphere like this in the US unless Walt's peeps have recreated them. So cool to see them in person. The second picture is a close up of these beautiful tiles that Lisbon is famous for. Tons of buildings have these intricate tiles covering the outside, in countless patterns and colors. Just so so beautiful.
Thanks again to J and G for showing us around this city. My two days here wouldn't have been nearly as awesome without you all and now the bar is super high for the rest of Europe. You better visit me in NYC sometime so I can return the favor!
Ok, now random thought:
I kind if like looking like an "ambiguous" race. I mean, some people can tell I am Indian, but I have been mistaken for a Portuguese tons here and all my life for Egyptian, Mexican, Persian, etc etc. It's actually really helpful in blending in in a new place and pretty neat (although we will see how well that holds up in Germany ... :))
And tonight just having a chill night in so I can wake up bright and early for my flight to Barcelona. See you soon Espana and obrigado Lisboa!
-Lisbon has this pastry it is famous for this dessert called 'Pastel de Nata'. I tried this last night and let's say that over the last 24 hours I have had 2 more! It's basically this flakey crust filled with custard, flamed on top and then sprinkled with cinnamon. I mean, could there BE a pastry that is more made for me (name that tv character)? The first picture below is of it (pretty bad quality - have no way of getting photos off my camera and so had to take a picture of the camera screen from my iPad. Ghe. Tto. I know.)
-My new friends made a hilarious comment last night ... They said that one of the reasons it is clear that I am an American is because of my hair. I was like what? And they said "all American girls have straight hair. You have really straight hair". I could not stop laughing because it is so true! Even those of us who do not have straight hair, a lot of us make it so!
Ok ... On to today. I met up with J, H and G today, starting for breakfast at 12noon (after I got totally lost on the subway). Then we basically spent the next 4 hours ambling around the city - walked up to the castle, through all these little streets and neighborhoods, to a bunch of viewpoints, through Roissi plaza and up the Avenue de Liberdado. Exploring a city like this is absolutely my favorite way to travel while i enjoy sights I WAY MORE enjoy experiencing a city for what it is and really get a feel for what life is like there. Everything I saw just further enhanced my view of how fabulous this city is. Also, they say that Lisbon is the city of seven hills and I will definitely be feeling that tomorrow. It's ok though, all part of the quest for calves of steel. Two pictures below - the first of this side street/set of stairs we walked up. I kept saying "this looks like Disneyworld" (so American, I know) because you never see streets and buildings and atmosphere like this in the US unless Walt's peeps have recreated them. So cool to see them in person. The second picture is a close up of these beautiful tiles that Lisbon is famous for. Tons of buildings have these intricate tiles covering the outside, in countless patterns and colors. Just so so beautiful.
Thanks again to J and G for showing us around this city. My two days here wouldn't have been nearly as awesome without you all and now the bar is super high for the rest of Europe. You better visit me in NYC sometime so I can return the favor!
Ok, now random thought:
I kind if like looking like an "ambiguous" race. I mean, some people can tell I am Indian, but I have been mistaken for a Portuguese tons here and all my life for Egyptian, Mexican, Persian, etc etc. It's actually really helpful in blending in in a new place and pretty neat (although we will see how well that holds up in Germany ... :))
And tonight just having a chill night in so I can wake up bright and early for my flight to Barcelona. See you soon Espana and obrigado Lisboa!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Day 2 (part deux): Saturday 9/15/12 - Lisbon rules!
Wow wow wow wow wow. What a wonderful first day in Lisbon. I'm pooped (hi poops!) with all the travel and it now being 2am when I got home, but. I. Love. This. City.
I got here and then met up with some people I had coordinated with via CouchSurfing for a protest that people were doing against the right-wing government here in Portugal. I have never been part of a protest so it was pretty cool and apparently at the end of the day more than half a million people marched. Below is a iPhone pic of it.
We left the march after a bit and walked downtown to see the area and then along the water. Then we sat at a super cool waterside bar where everyone was outside on the ground sitting on beanbags! Then we went to dinner at a local-ish place that was pretty delicious and after that a tiny little live music bar that was cool and chill. After that we walked around the famed Bairro Alto area which is nuts! There are no open container laws so it is just tons of people filling the streets, drinking, hanging out and having fun. I wish there was stuff like that in NYC! Then we walked to this garden area that overlooked the city and hung out outside for a bit and now I am home ready for some well-deserves sleep.
One thing to be said, I love love love my new friends. They are interesting, kind, funny and just awesome. I think ACT did a great job of helping me really get to know some Euros well, which I'm so glad I did before this trip. A bit about my friends:
-A from Lisbon. The first one to respond and just always positive, always willing to help, passionate about the cause and super interested in NYC.
-H from Lisbon. So proud of his city and so committed to making sure we have the best experience possible. I wouldn't have had even close to as awesome of a day without him.
-G from South Africa. Super smart with a super interesting story, and someone who is genuinely interested in others and making friends.
-J from Sweden. By far the friendliest Swede I have ever met and shares my dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
-H from Madrid. So sweet, and just one of the most easygoing people while also being really interesting.
I also have to say how great this city is. It is right on the water, super clean, wide streets, lots of sunshine, and super friendly people. It reminds me in different ways of both Wellington and Boston, which makes it an easy add to the short list of "I'd-move-here-in-a-heartbeat-if-all-my-friends-and-fam-were-here" cities. Lisbon, I heart you, xoxo.
Ok off to bed to make sure I have enough energy for tomorrow. This time no making political statements, just regular sightseeing. How blah ;)
I got here and then met up with some people I had coordinated with via CouchSurfing for a protest that people were doing against the right-wing government here in Portugal. I have never been part of a protest so it was pretty cool and apparently at the end of the day more than half a million people marched. Below is a iPhone pic of it.
We left the march after a bit and walked downtown to see the area and then along the water. Then we sat at a super cool waterside bar where everyone was outside on the ground sitting on beanbags! Then we went to dinner at a local-ish place that was pretty delicious and after that a tiny little live music bar that was cool and chill. After that we walked around the famed Bairro Alto area which is nuts! There are no open container laws so it is just tons of people filling the streets, drinking, hanging out and having fun. I wish there was stuff like that in NYC! Then we walked to this garden area that overlooked the city and hung out outside for a bit and now I am home ready for some well-deserves sleep.
One thing to be said, I love love love my new friends. They are interesting, kind, funny and just awesome. I think ACT did a great job of helping me really get to know some Euros well, which I'm so glad I did before this trip. A bit about my friends:
-A from Lisbon. The first one to respond and just always positive, always willing to help, passionate about the cause and super interested in NYC.
-H from Lisbon. So proud of his city and so committed to making sure we have the best experience possible. I wouldn't have had even close to as awesome of a day without him.
-G from South Africa. Super smart with a super interesting story, and someone who is genuinely interested in others and making friends.
-J from Sweden. By far the friendliest Swede I have ever met and shares my dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
-H from Madrid. So sweet, and just one of the most easygoing people while also being really interesting.
I also have to say how great this city is. It is right on the water, super clean, wide streets, lots of sunshine, and super friendly people. It reminds me in different ways of both Wellington and Boston, which makes it an easy add to the short list of "I'd-move-here-in-a-heartbeat-if-all-my-friends-and-fam-were-here" cities. Lisbon, I heart you, xoxo.
Ok off to bed to make sure I have enough energy for tomorrow. This time no making political statements, just regular sightseeing. How blah ;)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday 9/13/20: Volleyball and packing for Eurotrip
Today was a pretty good day. I spent most of it getting ready for my trip - ran a bunch of errands, went to the spa, did laundry, got some Euros, packed up most of my backpack and purse and crossed about 90% of the things off my packing list and my to-do list. I know I'm not a "J" but I STILL get a thrill out of doing that :)
Then in the evening we had our first volleyball game with "Smells Like Team Spirit 2.0" for the Fall 2012 season with New York Social Sports Club. This is the second season that I have played and I just feel so incredibly fortunate to have met the people I met through this team in the summer. I believe I was meant to meet these folks at this point in my life, as they are people I can be completely open and honest with, both about things that make me happy and that are difficult for me. They are people that are true friends, who are there for me and with whom I can laugh for hours. And, most importantly, they are GOOD people, who I admire and hope to be more and more like each day that I know and spend with them. And, I guess, they are pretty fun too. I'm excited about the new people joining our team too, mostly because they are tall and can kill the ball. Today we won 3-0 against a cray cray pink team. Let's keep it up Team Spirit!
Then in the evening we had our first volleyball game with "Smells Like Team Spirit 2.0" for the Fall 2012 season with New York Social Sports Club. This is the second season that I have played and I just feel so incredibly fortunate to have met the people I met through this team in the summer. I believe I was meant to meet these folks at this point in my life, as they are people I can be completely open and honest with, both about things that make me happy and that are difficult for me. They are people that are true friends, who are there for me and with whom I can laugh for hours. And, most importantly, they are GOOD people, who I admire and hope to be more and more like each day that I know and spend with them. And, I guess, they are pretty fun too. I'm excited about the new people joining our team too, mostly because they are tall and can kill the ball. Today we won 3-0 against a cray cray pink team. Let's keep it up Team Spirit!
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Smells Like Team Spirit 1.0 winning Spirit Champs for the Summer 2012 season!
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