What an amazing night. I met Shawn at the lobby bar at 5:30 and after that we were on our way. LIVESTRONG busses us to an airplane hanger where we had cocktails and dinner with the Ride for the Roses participants (people who raised over $10k)
It was an inspiring night. The entire Radio Schaak racing team was there. Pretty cool. We learned that it is written in their contract to help promote LIVESTRONG and all are happy to do so.
Bjorn Salenger, from Hudson WI, was part of that team last year. He had just signed the week that we met last year. He introduced himself to me ladybirds after my award speech. He owes me a cancer sucks photo so he was apologetic about that. Good to see him!
Shawn and I left and went got liberty at the hotel. We grabbed her and headed to 6th street... It was insane and fun. We had drinks and more drinks and more drinks.
Then a pedicab took us home. Which is where I am now. Exhausted and have to get up in 4 hrs Sleep won't be my friend this weekend. Good night y'all.
I spent basically the past two years on the road for work. Throw in three international vacations and other trips for fun around the US and I was tired. Living on the road sounds so glamorous to people. It isn't, it is hard and hard on you.
Yes, I had fun... a lot of fun. Got to see places and meet people I would not have if I didn't travel. Last December I received VIP treatment for the lighting of the Rockfeller Christmas Tree, a bucket list item crossed off! I saw a lot and experienced a lot. I tried to see friends in Philly and Jersey and their kids (pic below is one of them) when I was nearby. I told myself it made it worth it to be away so much. I had to, as being away from your family and friends is difficult, anyone who travels a lot or lives internationally for work will tell you, it's hard and you realize you miss a lot.
I haven't traveled since May. Four months since I checked into a flight. For reorganization reasons at work, business travel stopped. "I was grounded". It was interesting to realize how used to being on the road I had truly become...and that my loved ones had become just as used to it. I realized being home the past four months now, how truly disconnected I had become from peoples lives. Yes I still saw people on occasion, but it was hit or miss, and it wasn't enough for me.
I have truly appreciated the past few months of being with family and friends more. Maybe that is the lesson I needed to learn? I have reconnected with people and felt a part of my life was given back to me. I adopted my dog Sophie who seemed to fall right in to place at the right moment when I had been sort of looking for months. Job changed, travel stopped and there she was, fresh from Oklahoma! Fate? Sort of. I know I have an angel above that played a role in making sure she came into my life.
I have been able to enjoy a weekend away here and there at peoples cabins. Enjoy my season tickets at the fabulous Target Field - I was at opening day! I was able to go to shows like The Scottsboro Boys (a must see!) and Lady Gaga because I was actually in town when they played.
I love to travel and that will never change. I have trips booked to Pittsburgh (work), Austin (LIVESTRONG) and Vegas (Christmas at Mom's). I am also hoping to get to Ireland, London or Amsterdam in November as it's been far too long since I have crossed the pond (those details are still being worked out).
I am glad that being away is no longer my normal, and that being home is. I really cherish the time I am spending with people and the time I am just home in my house with my doggie. I used to greet my house and bed "hi home, hi bed" when I would come home from a trip. Note to self: I probably appreciated them both a bit more when I was traveling so much. Better get back on that and show appreciation more :)
Getting grounded has been the best thing for me in a long time. Far different than when I was grounded as a youth, but my mom would probably tell you that was always good for me too :)
Till my next trip, take care and appreciate your surroundings.
Been having a great few days in Manzanillo, well technically we are in Santiago, what is quickly becoming a suburb of Manzanillo.
Nothing too exciting to report. It seems most days are the same here. Get up, workout, eat bfast and then sit and read by the pool overlooking the ocean. Not a bad gig if you can get it :)
We frolick in the waves, but after seeing a stingray I don't go too far out. Irrational fear of oceans was already there. Boogie boarded with UP(that's my uncle pat for those who don't know) and met a family from Wisconsin while doing so. Everyone is from Canada Wisconsin or Minnesota who is down here. The nice part of this area is that still mean very few people.
At 5:00 we do see Mauro fir 2-4-1s at the beach bar. My favorite Italian bartender. I love that u can say graci and he answers prego. KK misses Italy dearly.
We have befriended new people from Canada. I had a bet with one on last night womens Olympic gold medel round. Apparently I owe Dirk a drink as our USA girls couldn't get the gold the Olympics, but silver is still fantastic.
Mi familia dressed to represent USA at happy hour as the women played at hh time. We changed my shirt to "Canada sucks." and Amy had stolen a few of their flags and turned them into USA flags. Don't worry we knew the Canadians would laugh... And they did. If I could post more than one photo at a time I would show you them laughing. iPhone only allows me one photo at a time... From what I can tell.
While at the bar the cancer sucks tshirt got the attention of a women and she dragged me to meet her husband who was a survivor. He had his wristbands on and we chatted a while. She wants ti buy shirts for her whole family and promote it at her work. That shirt is amazing ti people and it gives them an attitude as I was told last week :)
We left hh and headed to Lableu (or something like that) and had dinner on a balcony overlooking the bay. Seriously this just doesn't get old. However, it does come to an end tomorrow... Sigh.
Off to spend the last full day of sun and fun with the family, the fun canadians, Bobby the Serbian, Diego the bar owner and Mauro,the Italian who hands me my drink without me ordering :)
oh and I am sure Amy will stop the dress lady on the beach again today only to look and say "no gracias" :)
Today I slept in. Till 9:45. That is a ton of sleep and it felt great. I was totally relaxed... Finally.
Got up and went for a run on the beach. The best part of my run was the sprints on the way back down the beach. I am running as hard and as fast as I can ( a pretty good clip if I will) and vendors still approah me to sell me things. Ummm really? I would shake my head no and keep running and wonder at their tenacity.
I went with the aunts and uncles into Santiago to shop for dinner. Bought some fresh shrimp for everyone (but me) and bought myself a basso fish filet to have.
We relaxed by the pool the rest if the day reading and then Amy and I headed to the Oasis happy hour. Yep. It's our favorite. We met up with Canadians and folkes from Grand Forkes, ND. It was good fun. The manager, Diago, was great and trying to be my new friend on facebook.
Amy and I stayed there watching the Canada vs germany hockey game till we thought "better get back for dinner". We headed out to enjoy the fabulous dinner by our aunts and uncles and then we all headed back to the bar for pie. Diagos GF (from Colorado) baked pies and they were fabulous!! In fact pat and sue put in an order in for pecan pie for tonights dinner.
Mauro (Italian bartender) kept pouring me and Diago lemoncello (yummy!) as we discussed Cinque Terra italy and our love for it. It was fabulous.
for pecan pie for tomorrow already.
The As and Us left us at the bar and Mauro poured me 2-3 glasses of lemoncella to toast Cinque Terra (a fabulous place in italy!). I got to know our new candadian friend Bobby better and found he was not truly candadian but originally from serbia. Good guy and fun, and 39 how nice :)
Must sleep. Amy and I have been invited to a party tomorrow by some canadians and also we are getting pool side massages tomorrow. Yay!
Sunday: we got up early to a beautiful sunrise and did my Terri (my pt) Mexico workout she created for me. It felt great however, we worked out on the lawn and didn't realize we were being attacked by Mosquitos (u should see me today-Monday)!
Amy and I went for a long walk down the beach to the shops. Bought me new flip flops and both of us got cowboy hats. Umm yes we look like twin sisters. We stopped at a place on the beach for lunch and a corona. Life is good.
Mi familia all went swimming in the ocean the waves are fantastic and fun with boogie boards. Later that night at sunset we saw what looks to be a sting ray out there ... Umm it's gonna take all my strength to overcome thr and head back out, I have an irrational fear of oceans and lakes and I know it. But I will go back in today :)
Last night we went to the Lions Club of Manzanillo for a fundraiser. Carman is a woman who cooks and cleans for us and it was her churchs fundraiser. It was a lot of fun. Authentic Mexican dancing and food! Yum!
> Amy and I wondered down to Club Oasis for a drink. Great place to > see olympics we learned. We met Bobby from Canada, nice guy and even > better my Italian bartender was working that I met two years ago. > We all know how I love Italian... Anything. Men. Purses. The > country. (hope to be back there this fall!!) > > The rest of the family ended up joining us and relaxing and catching > up. > > We are now back at the house and getting ready or Carman to come and > cook for us. And I know from years past Its gonna be yummy!! > > Looking forward to a whole day in the sun tomorrow. Amy and I are on > missions or new cowboy hats. Giddy up Mexico!! > > Adios! > KK
We arrived safely at about 2pm and got to walk down the steps to the airport outside (I do love that about Manzanillo!) the sun on my face felt amazing and the warm breeze was just what the doctor ordered!
We grabbed a cab to casa aurora and were greeted by my auntie Sheila standing in the road waiting for us :)
In minutes we were in suits and had a margarita in hand. We caught up with everyone and then jumped in the water. The water is perfect and the waves are amazing.
Description In the 2005 census the city of Manzanillo had a population of 110,728 and its municipality had 137,842.[1] It is the second-largest community in the state, after Colima, the capital. The municipality covers an area of 1,578.4 km² (609.42 sq mi), and includes such outlying communities as El Colomo, in addition to many smaller communities. Manzanillo is also a beach resort and, as the self-proclaimed "sailfish capital" of the world[citation needed], hosts a yearly sailfish fishing tournament. The Revillagigedo Islands, off the west coast of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, are part of the municipality.
Manzanillo is a sister city of the U.S. cities of Flagstaff, Arizona; San Pablo, California; and Saint Paul, Minnesota.
