Nanny looking hot in one of Val’s wigs. ooh lala
July 11, 2008
June 29, 2008
Kaaterskill Falls… Falls
So, I had this determined idea yesterday that we (my mom, Val!, Justin and myself) would go hiking and kayaking this weekend in upstate NY. Joey joined us as well. Without ample preparation and having missed the New Paltz turn off where we anticipated our Saturday evening hike, we headed into Saugerties and I got directions from a local that suggested two different hikes. Val! liked the idea of the Kaaterskill Falls Trail over the scenic overlook trail, so we were off in the direction of Hunter Mountain.
The trail was beautiful… Lush green trees densely crowded the muddy, rocky path which ran alongside a creek. In the creek were glistening silver-gray rocks and many levels of small falls, creating a beautiful visual effect as well as a musical audible effect throughout our hike, which was a half mile in length and took us upwards to the main attraction: a gorge into which a tall, thin, cool waterfall streamed. Val! and I made it there first and excitedly headed towards the falls. It was during this time of mindless hurry that I slipped on a wet rock and sent my left foot (and force of my body) into a hole surrounded by rocks. One of these rocks was incredibly sharp… As I extracted my leg, I noticed a deep gash exposing flesh and white fat folded up under the skin. The first words out of my mouth were “E.R.”
After Justin bandaged my leg with part of Joey’s shirt, we all headed back to the car and to the nearest emergency room. It’s never nice to hear a doctor refer to your cut as a gaping wound… even though that’s exactly what it was.
The worst part of the experience: Other than seeing the initial, frightening damage, the worst part (by far) were the numerous, painful shots I received to my wound area prior to being stitched up (10 stitches). I lost it and ended up crying…
The best part of the experience: Having my loving family there for me… Thanks Mom, Val! and Justin.
Things like this really help put life into perspective… And also remind me to be more careful. This is the third time in 3 weeks I’ve hurt myself, and the second time I slid off a rock and hurt myself. Sheesh.
April 3, 2008
How Time Changes Us
Val! was sharing old photos with me. She sent one of herself, my cousin Karen and me all dressed up and ready for a night of clubbing. I remember the night and all of our photos fondly. We actually met a club-photographer that night and had a good time. He was the first of that type I’d ever met, though certainly not the last. At any rate, I was feeling sad, not to mention older, looking at the photo and thinking of old relationships. For instance, I haven’t talked to Karen in years, which is sad because she is a cool chick and we grew up together. Life is odd – how we fall away from one another. At any rate, in the depths of my melancholy, which I was sharing with Justin, he sent me a photo from last weekend. Wow! How times change. For your viewing pleasure (you may want to enlarge these):
 Taking harp lessons in Stowe in 2008. |
 Going out clubbing with Val! and Karen circa 2001. |
March 30, 2008
Kissy whilst Snowshoeing in Stowe
We had such a good, active day today! We woke up at 9:30 AM – a little later than anticipated – and headed immediately down for breakfast. It was such a gorgous day filled with glorious sunshine. Justin had French toast, but said it was only so-so, and I had poached eggs over ham and an English muffin topped with cheese, which was also only so-so. Tomorrow I’ll probably opt for just the continental breakfast! :) We both still totally enjoyed ourselves at breakfast.
After breakfast we layered up for our first ever snow shoeing sojourn! We were out for over five hours today and trekked 1,000 vertical feet to the top of a mountain where we came upon a cabin that served soup and sandwiches. I had no idea I was so hungry until I devoured a bowl of split pea soup! Justin had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We snowshoed back down a different trail that took us among tons of moguls and remote, forested area. It was BEAUTIFUL. Some trees had bark of gold! I have a good shot in the photo gallery. It was amazing.
I have wanted to try cross country skiing for a couple of years. Loads of people out there were doing it. Maybe tomorrow before we leave we’ll have the opportunity to try it out. We scheduled time at the rock climbing wall today but allowed an angry lady with three kids from Boston to take our slot as the facility had lost hers (or she was wrong about her appointment). We tentatively schedule a 9 AM session for tomorrow.
We had a very pleasant dinner this evening. I have to admit that the food here is definitely not top notch but we had fun all the same and the service is good. I had lobster ravioli (fairly tasty), gorgonzola/walnut/grape/escarole/bibb lettuce salad with maple dijon dressing (fabulous) and NY strip steak (yuck). My steak did come with delicious scalloped sweet potatoes, though! Justin had yummy pork tenderloin and a delicious chocolate cake with mousse and cherries. We also had plenty of wine. ;)
Here is how my ideal day tomorrow:
Breakfast around 7:30 AM
Swim in the pool at the fitness center.
Climbing at 9 AM
Cross Country ski at 10:00 AM
Massage at 1 PM
Flight at 5 PM
Vee shall see!
February 2, 2008
January 31, 2008
Ice Climbing, Christmas, New Years, etc.
Look at all the topics I saved to write about, yet never did!
- ice climbing (photos)
- christmas eve
- christmas day
- san antonio and christmas
- new year’s eve
- jetblue shuttle
- From an email I wrote after the event -
When we got back to the airport last night (1/1/2008), the line for the taxis was really long so we decided to take the JetBlue shuttle bus instead. It drops us off just a mile from home and we can either get a cab or take the subway from there. We made it on the 10:30 pm shuttle and as we were leaving the airport on this major 3 lane highway (the Van Wyck) I saw 5 lug nuts glittering across the road. Moments later, the bus began to vibrate and both of our rear left wheels came off! One of them flew parallel to us, bouncing on the ground and proceeding high into the air, smashing down on the bumper then the roof of a little red car in the adjacent lane. It was so surreal. Everyone was fine, but it reminded me of something from those Final Destination movies.
We were stuck on the bus for about an hour in the middle lane of traffic waiting for some alternate form of transportation. Luckily, a flight attendant that was onboard the bus with us had a number for an emergency contact at JetBlue and they sent another bus to rescue us. It was an eventful night. ;)
My mom sent this to me, it seems pretty cool: 21 ways to use old coffee grounds
I have a new Goal!!!! – Visit all of the top 10 wine regions in the world. And possibly discover one in Asia since they don’t seem well represented.
Check out this map and click “top 10 wine regions” if it’s not already selected.