Friday, November 18, 2005
European Vacation: The Honeymoon Strikes Back!
We are leaving tomorrow morning for our honeymoon. I think we have most of the plans made, even though we don't know whether we are connecting through Frankfurt tomorrow or connecting through a Boston/London combo. But no matter which flight we choose, we are going to end up in the same place. So, please allow me to break it down for you.
Phase 1: We will land in Barcelona, Spain sometime Sunday the 20th. We are staying at The Boria, a modern hotel in an 18th century mansion. Because it is the low season, we were able to get major discounts on all of our hotel rooms, so we are staying in a junior suite while we are in Barcelona. I went to Barcelona for a couple of days back in 1998 and loved it, so I can't wait to explore it further. Victor has made us reservations for dinner at some fancy restaurant (I can't remember for sure, but I think it is Cinc Sentits) for one night, and he has gotten dining recommendations for the other nights. We plan on doing a lot of shopping, eating, and drinking, as well as checking out the Gaudí buildings, La Rambla, and the Barri Gotic. I am excited to chill on the beach a little bit and wander around Barceloneta a while.
Phase 2: On Thursday the 24th, we will board a morning flight to Brussels, Belgium. When we arrive at the airport in Brussels, we will board a train and head to Bruges (or Brugge, depending on which language you prefer). We will spend one night at the Pand Romantik Hotel. We have a regular room there, but I'm hoping they offer us an upgrade when they find out we are honeymooners. I think we are planning on just strolling around and taking it easy. Bruges has been called "The Venice of the North" because of the beautiful canals, and I hear it is a very romantic city.
Phase 3: On Friday the 25th, we will board a morning train back to Brussels (you can call it Bruxelles if you like). We are staying in this hotel, which apparently is where the rock stars and diplomats stay. I'm very excited about that. We were in Brussels once before, during last Thanksgiving break, but we didn't have a chance to properly explore the town. I'm looking forward to yummy waffles, delicious chocolates, checking out the Grand Place, and doing some more shopping. We will fly back home on Sunday the 27th.
Last week I bought some shoes that are very comfortable, so hopefully I won't have any blisters this time around. Tonight I am going to look for some boots, since it is supposed to be snowy in Belgium. I have two pairs of boots already, but both have high heels, and that just isn't conducive to comfort and stability. We got our sweaters cleaned, and we just need to do one load of laundry before we can finish packing. I suppose we should also charge up the camera and find the electricity converter so that we can keep it charged. I guess other than that, we're ready to go! I'm so excited! It's been really stressful at work the last two weeks, so I'm definitely ready for a vacation.
We are leaving tomorrow morning for our honeymoon. I think we have most of the plans made, even though we don't know whether we are connecting through Frankfurt tomorrow or connecting through a Boston/London combo. But no matter which flight we choose, we are going to end up in the same place. So, please allow me to break it down for you.
Phase 1: We will land in Barcelona, Spain sometime Sunday the 20th. We are staying at The Boria, a modern hotel in an 18th century mansion. Because it is the low season, we were able to get major discounts on all of our hotel rooms, so we are staying in a junior suite while we are in Barcelona. I went to Barcelona for a couple of days back in 1998 and loved it, so I can't wait to explore it further. Victor has made us reservations for dinner at some fancy restaurant (I can't remember for sure, but I think it is Cinc Sentits) for one night, and he has gotten dining recommendations for the other nights. We plan on doing a lot of shopping, eating, and drinking, as well as checking out the Gaudí buildings, La Rambla, and the Barri Gotic. I am excited to chill on the beach a little bit and wander around Barceloneta a while.
Phase 2: On Thursday the 24th, we will board a morning flight to Brussels, Belgium. When we arrive at the airport in Brussels, we will board a train and head to Bruges (or Brugge, depending on which language you prefer). We will spend one night at the Pand Romantik Hotel. We have a regular room there, but I'm hoping they offer us an upgrade when they find out we are honeymooners. I think we are planning on just strolling around and taking it easy. Bruges has been called "The Venice of the North" because of the beautiful canals, and I hear it is a very romantic city.
Phase 3: On Friday the 25th, we will board a morning train back to Brussels (you can call it Bruxelles if you like). We are staying in this hotel, which apparently is where the rock stars and diplomats stay. I'm very excited about that. We were in Brussels once before, during last Thanksgiving break, but we didn't have a chance to properly explore the town. I'm looking forward to yummy waffles, delicious chocolates, checking out the Grand Place, and doing some more shopping. We will fly back home on Sunday the 27th.
Last week I bought some shoes that are very comfortable, so hopefully I won't have any blisters this time around. Tonight I am going to look for some boots, since it is supposed to be snowy in Belgium. I have two pairs of boots already, but both have high heels, and that just isn't conducive to comfort and stability. We got our sweaters cleaned, and we just need to do one load of laundry before we can finish packing. I suppose we should also charge up the camera and find the electricity converter so that we can keep it charged. I guess other than that, we're ready to go! I'm so excited! It's been really stressful at work the last two weeks, so I'm definitely ready for a vacation.
New apparel!
This is totally NOT safe for work. Please, please, please don't tell me that you got fired because you looked. So, once you are safely ensconced in your armchair at home, with slippers on your feet and a pipe in your hand, fire blazing merrily in the fireplace, may I direct your attention here?
via Uffish Thoughts
This is totally NOT safe for work. Please, please, please don't tell me that you got fired because you looked. So, once you are safely ensconced in your armchair at home, with slippers on your feet and a pipe in your hand, fire blazing merrily in the fireplace, may I direct your attention here?
via Uffish Thoughts
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Weakness is a virtue.
I was sick as a dog yesterday. Work has been mega stressful lately, with all sorts of emergency classes because we weren't as prepared for the holiday rush as we thought we were. Yesterday, I finally had my new class out on the floor, and I was supposed to be helping them with questions. But I felt really sick, with stomach cramps and queasiness, so I ended up going home. And I'm glad I did, because all hell broke loose when I made it to the apartment.
So today, I'm back at work, feeling exhausted and dehydrated. I think I will probably go home early today. Victor and I leave for our honeymoon on Saturday. We're going to Barcelona first and then another city, maybe Munich/Brussels/Paris/who knows. We are weighing our options for flights home. I'll do a proper honeymoon planning post when we get everything ironed out.
In the meantime, please turn your attention to my friend Jeremy's blog, which has actual content on a daily basis. Thanks to Kris for linking it... Jeremy neglected to tell most of us that he has been blogging. Also, tomorrow is Jeremy's birthday. He'll be 30. Yay!!
Edited to add: My friend Karen has a blog now too! Yay for more people!
I was sick as a dog yesterday. Work has been mega stressful lately, with all sorts of emergency classes because we weren't as prepared for the holiday rush as we thought we were. Yesterday, I finally had my new class out on the floor, and I was supposed to be helping them with questions. But I felt really sick, with stomach cramps and queasiness, so I ended up going home. And I'm glad I did, because all hell broke loose when I made it to the apartment.
So today, I'm back at work, feeling exhausted and dehydrated. I think I will probably go home early today. Victor and I leave for our honeymoon on Saturday. We're going to Barcelona first and then another city, maybe Munich/Brussels/Paris/who knows. We are weighing our options for flights home. I'll do a proper honeymoon planning post when we get everything ironed out.
In the meantime, please turn your attention to my friend Jeremy's blog, which has actual content on a daily basis. Thanks to Kris for linking it... Jeremy neglected to tell most of us that he has been blogging. Also, tomorrow is Jeremy's birthday. He'll be 30. Yay!!
Edited to add: My friend Karen has a blog now too! Yay for more people!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Why do they always cancel the good shows?
Well, it's official: they canceled "Arrested Development." Man, I really loved that show. Also gone are "7th Heaven" and "Kitchen Confidential." We actually watched "Kitchen Confidential," unlike most of America. And I think everyone can admit to watching "7th Heaven" now and again.
P.S. Will John Francis Daley ever get a break?
Well, it's official: they canceled "Arrested Development." Man, I really loved that show. Also gone are "7th Heaven" and "Kitchen Confidential." We actually watched "Kitchen Confidential," unlike most of America. And I think everyone can admit to watching "7th Heaven" now and again.
P.S. Will John Francis Daley ever get a break?
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Dammit!
Texans, why do you have to be so stupid???
It's not like I really expected the amendment to ban gay marriage to fail. Texas is notoriously conservative. But did it have to pass by a landslide? Did gay people and gay-friendly people forget to vote? Are that many people so closeminded and mean? Arrrgh!!!
Texans, why do you have to be so stupid???
It's not like I really expected the amendment to ban gay marriage to fail. Texas is notoriously conservative. But did it have to pass by a landslide? Did gay people and gay-friendly people forget to vote? Are that many people so closeminded and mean? Arrrgh!!!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
In which I gain some new housemates and a new name
The last week or so has been a bit of a blur. Our once clean house is covered in wedding gifts, and we don’t know where we’re going to put everything. We also have a huge pile of stuff to take to Goodwill, and that’s taking up a large part of our dining room. I think we’re having houseguests this weekend, so we have to start cleaning soon. I’m going to NYC for work tomorrow (just a day trip), so that’s one less day I have to clean. Guess we better get started tonight.
A cold front moved in yesterday, bringing in huge thunderstorms and cold weather. I think the cold weather is driving critters inside, because last night Victor saw a big cockroach in our previously cockroach-free living room. This morning, I think I heard a mouse in our previously mouse-free kitchen. I have advised the landlady so that she can take care of the problem. I guess that’s the risk you run when you rent an apartment in an older building with foundation problems. There are probably plenty of places that unwelcome guests can crawl inside. I never had problems like this when I had a cat, by the way. Thanks, Victor’s allergies!
We got our marriage certificate back yesterday, so I guess on Thursday I’ll try to make it down to the Social Security office to change my name. Yes, folks, change my name. I remember a few years ago, probably in college, when I had to defend my choice of planning to change my name when married. When did that become such a bad thing? Now, I’m no hardcore feminist in today’s sense… I mean, I believe that men and women are equal, should get equal pay and opportunities, just like I think all races and people of all sexual persuasions should have the same chances in life. But I don’t see it as degrading or threatening to my individuality to take Victor’s last name. In fact, I see it as a sign that we are now a family. Even still, the name change is bittersweet. I am kinda sad that I’ll no longer have my maiden name, since I was kind of one of those two-name people to a lot of my friends (you know, someone who you always refer to as both first and last name). And my new last name is Hispanic, but not one of the easy ones that all of the white folks know (like Garcia or Martinez), so I’ll have all sorts of fun spelling to people… yeah, not looking forward to that. But I’m still doing it. I can’t even imagine not doing it. I guess I’m an old-fashioned girl at heart.
The last week or so has been a bit of a blur. Our once clean house is covered in wedding gifts, and we don’t know where we’re going to put everything. We also have a huge pile of stuff to take to Goodwill, and that’s taking up a large part of our dining room. I think we’re having houseguests this weekend, so we have to start cleaning soon. I’m going to NYC for work tomorrow (just a day trip), so that’s one less day I have to clean. Guess we better get started tonight.
A cold front moved in yesterday, bringing in huge thunderstorms and cold weather. I think the cold weather is driving critters inside, because last night Victor saw a big cockroach in our previously cockroach-free living room. This morning, I think I heard a mouse in our previously mouse-free kitchen. I have advised the landlady so that she can take care of the problem. I guess that’s the risk you run when you rent an apartment in an older building with foundation problems. There are probably plenty of places that unwelcome guests can crawl inside. I never had problems like this when I had a cat, by the way. Thanks, Victor’s allergies!
We got our marriage certificate back yesterday, so I guess on Thursday I’ll try to make it down to the Social Security office to change my name. Yes, folks, change my name. I remember a few years ago, probably in college, when I had to defend my choice of planning to change my name when married. When did that become such a bad thing? Now, I’m no hardcore feminist in today’s sense… I mean, I believe that men and women are equal, should get equal pay and opportunities, just like I think all races and people of all sexual persuasions should have the same chances in life. But I don’t see it as degrading or threatening to my individuality to take Victor’s last name. In fact, I see it as a sign that we are now a family. Even still, the name change is bittersweet. I am kinda sad that I’ll no longer have my maiden name, since I was kind of one of those two-name people to a lot of my friends (you know, someone who you always refer to as both first and last name). And my new last name is Hispanic, but not one of the easy ones that all of the white folks know (like Garcia or Martinez), so I’ll have all sorts of fun spelling to people… yeah, not looking forward to that. But I’m still doing it. I can’t even imagine not doing it. I guess I’m an old-fashioned girl at heart.
