April 3: Surprises

Today is my sister's birthday and she's traveling.  However, I got a fun surprise in the mail from my mom and sister in celebration of almost being done! I got a couple of different things including a book for my upcoming trip to Hawaii!  Thanks mom & CJ!

November 30: Adios Los Cabos

No, we didn't plan our matching stripes...but we look cute nonetheless.  It's a sad day when you have to say goodbye to good friends and 84 degree weather in exchange for 30 degrees.  It was also so sunny that we had to close our eyes and open before I snapped the picture.  Adios, or hasta luego los cabos.

November 29: Last Day in Los Cabos

Every morning I would wake up, by 6am and be wide awake.  Around 7:30am I would head to Megan's parents suite.  Why?  Well, I LOVE coffee and since Megan was still sleeping, I'd go over and join her dad for coffee in the morning.  We'd sit on the porch, drink coffee, and DeAnne would join when she awoke.  I really enjoyed getting to chat with her parents in the mornings…and who doesn't love doing that over a cup of coffee with a beautiful view?

Friday was our last full day in Los Cabos, so that evening one of the guys working at the resort took us out for 'authentic' Mexican food.  It was yuuuummmmmy.  The homemade tortillas were the BEST!

November 28: Thanksgiving

Megan and I made a wonderful brunch on Thanksgiving.  That evening the eight of us went into town to have a nice dinner.  We ate at a great seafood place.  I have much to be thankful for this year (and always).

November 27: Excursion

The excursion may have been my favorite part of the trip to Cabo this year.  Megan and I got up early Wednesday morning to watch the sunrise.  Yes, I got Megan out of bed before 8am ;)  It was absolutely breathtaking.  As much as I love a good sunset, there is something about a sunrise as it breaks through the darkness bringing newness and new promises AND you have to be intentional to see them.

The first part of the excursion was a city tour.  Our tour guide (for just the four of us) included a glass blowing tour, shopping, lunch, glass bottom boat ride, kayaking, and snorkeling (which was my favorite).

November 26: Cabo Wabo

Today we went to the ocean.  Megan's cousin Lauren and her husband RJ joined us.  The water was a bit cold, but I got used to it.  The weather was perfect today, 82 and sunny.  After spending the late morning and early afternoon in town, we meet up with Megan's parents and her aunt and uncle to shop and hang out.  If you are ever in Cabo, you must visit Cabo Wabo.  The party at night is fun with a live band and dancing, but it's also fun in the day when you take in the ambiance and a good 2 for 1 drink special.

Ohhh, we also went to Senior Sweets (well, Megan & I did but that's another story).  Last time when I was in Cabo we had the crepes.  Unfortunately, we didn't see those on the menu, so I got coffee flavored gelato instead.  Yumm.

November 25: Amuse-Bouche

One of the greatest things about this location in Los Cabos is that you can watch the sun rise and set over the Sea of Cortez.  Monday we went into town for some shopping at Wal-Mart.  Yep, Mexico has a Wal-Mart.  We decided to cook a few dinners in the room as it is a great way to save some money.  The first dinner was cooked by Megan's parents, David and DeAnne.  Megan then decided she wanted to make an amuse-bouche which is kind of like a one bite appetizer.  She did a good job considering her resources and that her vision didn't come together like she had hoped.  She's fancy like that in the kitchen…me, not so much.

November 24: Poolside

Infinity pools are so neat, especially when they look like they run into the ocean (or in this case the Sea of Cortez).  It looks as though the bird is walking on water.  This is how I spent most of Sunday, listening to an audible book and watching the water.  Thank you God for a vacation that involves warm days and water!

Facing Forward to Fall Fun (LOVE an alliteration)

I realize it isn't fall yet, however, on Monday, we will welcome back the graduate assistants and on August 12th another school year will begin.

Crazy.

I'm looking forward to this final fall (Lord willing) at The University of Georgia for many reasons.  First, I love the season of fall.  It bring crisp air, vibrant colors, and lots of things to look forward to, such as:

On Sunday, my friend Tiffanie (from Baylor) will be moving down to Athens to begin her doctoral studies within higher education (another program, but still).  AND, we will be neighbors...literally, she is going to live right next door.  Super excited face (for those who know Tiffanie, you understand the reference).

Moreover, all the GAs will return on Monday for the Dean of Students orientation, for which I'm responsible.  We move students in on Tuesday (physically move them in), and next Monday classes begin. Yikes.

I'm also excited about a writing retreat with my friend Kristin over labor day weekend in Tennessee, a visit from my sister in late October, the ASHE conference in November, and...

Cabo for Thanksgiving!

Yep, I'm headed back to Cabo with Megan's family!  I'm so excited (and thankful I had frequent flyer miles to pay for the flight) AND for their generosity in the invite!

From there Christmas is right around the corner and that means a trip (hopefully) back to California and Oregon.

Like I said, lots to look forward to...and yet, I don't want to wish the weeks away.  In these moments, I try to practice presence, albeit my excitement!

Disney World: Magic Kingdom

To me, magic kingdom is synonymous with disney world...apparently they aren't the same thing. :) While down for Stace & Andre's wedding, Jennifer and I went to disney.  It was a funfilled day.  I loved comparing it to disney land.  Here is my list of comparissions

• Disney World's Cinderella's castle is much bigger, and much better 
• Small world at Disneyland has a better storefront.  When you walk up to it at Disneyland it's a sight, but at World, it looks like any other random ride.
• Disneyland has all the best rides in one park
• If I had kids, I'd choose Disneyland over world (because you can walk out of the park, across the street to a hotel, take naps, etc) but Disney World you have to take the monorail, or boat, drive, etc, OR pay lots to stay closeby.

There are many other small differences, both are great experiences and now I can say I've been to both, woohoo.  Here are some fun pictures from the experience!

On our way to the Magic Kingdom!

 Cinderella's castle.

 We thought we were in line for the people mover, oops.

I LOVE the toy story ride! Ps. I beat Jennifer :)

 We met up with Stace & Andre later in the day!

 The castle lit up at night! It changed all sorts of colors!

 Oh I forgot, they STILL do the electrical light parade, it was AWESOME!

 I thought they would be all decorated for halloween, not really.

Had a blast with Jennifer and so excited to experience Disney World for the first time!  I cannot wait to return and try some of the other worlds.  I do have a few years left here, so hopefully I can make it down there again before I'm done with this PhD in Georgia!

Frolicking in Florida

This forth of July I decided to head down to Florida for some R&R and for a weekend of catching up with my friend Jennifer.  She and I worked at Baylor together and she & her husband recently moved to Florida...conveniently between Tampa and Orlando.  The weekend was packed with all sorts of fun with good friends.

I drove down on Friday and met up with Jennifer at University of South Florida, where she works now.  After getting the tour of campus, we headed to her home to meet up with Stephen for dinner and fireworks in their town.  The fireworks over the lake on the dark night sky were fantastic!

After the fireworks display we headed to downtown Disney to walk around and peruse the Disney Resorts.  A-maze-ing.  Each resort is themed, detailed, and ... magical.

Saturday was open to the possibilities.  We talked about Disney, we talked about Universal Studios, the ocean and the gulf were also options.  The possibilities seemed endless.  After discussion, we headed for Universal Studios-Islands of Adventure.

Why?

Mainly one reason.

Or maybe seven.

It doesn't require a train, although possible.

Maybe it's the butterbeer?

Which is neither butter nor beer. :)

The reason?

It's magical.

...


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

What a fun experience, truly.  After having read and watched all the movies the wizarding world was quite like I imagined (and kind of like the movies).  It was fun to experience it with Jennifer too as she hadn't read or seen the movies, thus I was able to explain some of the intricacies.  However, before heading straight to the Harry Potter world...we did visit a couple other parts of the park.  I mean, you can't spend the whole day just at the WWofHP.

The Hogwarts train & platform 9 & 3/4

Hogsmead

 The three broomsticks

Butterbeer-delicious! I've already looked up recipes.

 Olivander's wand shop-no I didn't purchase a wand, but watched a wizard & wand matching. :)

 

This picture cracks me up.  Jennifer took it while we were standing in line for the Harry Potter ride.  A wonderful experience through the world of Harry Pottery (some virtual & some through the castle).  It was obviously hot outside (FL in the summer) but they had misters and fans...a little piece of heaven.

 After HP we walked around the rest of the park and rode some great rides.  The one above was a bit of a shock!  I thought we'd ride up nicely to the top and then drop.  This was not that ride.  This one shot straight up at lightening speeds and then slowly lowered back down.  Really fun, but was completely unprepared for the experience.  :)

After riding Jurassic Park, Jennifer suggested we ride it again.  In the front.  The front row.  Yes friends, we rode the water ride with the giant TRex in the front row.  Contrary to popular belief we didn't...oh wait, we did get soaked but it was fun.

 

The spiderman 3D ride. Really cool.

 

  The park was really neat at night...the lights, the sounds, the cool breeze.

Of course I couldn't pass up seeing HP at night. :)

The Atlantic Ocean
Sunday, Jennifer and I went to the ocean via South Beach (not Miami South Beach...another one). :)  It was a beautiful day spent lounging (literally) by the water.  The breeze was delightful and the sound of the waves was memorizing. 

And I didn't even burn :)

The Gulf Coast
Monday, Stephen, Jennifer, and I went to Clearwater Beach on the gulf side.  Although there were more people, it was still manageable.  I was so surprised that for the holiday weekend we never really waited in lines or traffic.  The gulf  water is a little warmer than the Atlantic (and yes the Atlantic is warmer than the Pacific) and the sand is much whiter.  As the three of us were in the water, Stephen made some comment about the water being so clear...to which a little girl nearby replied, well it is called Clearwater.  Schooled by an 11 year old. :)  I could have stayed in the water all day, only I was beginning to burn, and I planned to return home that evening...thus I had a long drive in front of me.

Lunch at Frenchy's on the water. Yumm.

 

The drive home was filled with more Harry Potter on tape (yes, I listened to it on the way down and no, it wasn't actually on tap, iPod actually, but it doesn't sound the same) AND a magnificent sunset.  The time with friends was dear and although I was happy after many hours to no longer be in the car, I was glad I made the trip!