The Best of 2007

I’ve compiled a list of the highlights of my 2007 and what I am looking forward to in 2008!

New Zealand New Years  

Technically, it was 2006, but most of the fun happened in 2007.  Dean, his friend and I hit the town (Auckland)  with no agenda but just to ring in the new year.  We ended up having a blast, hanging out on the harbour, going to random clubs, dancing and ending our night at the casino.  We got home when the sun was coming over the ocean!

Saying Goodbye To Our Studio In Auckland

For four months, Dean and I lived in a nice little one room studio apartment.  Some may think this is strange, but it is a test in one’s relationship.  If you can share that type of space, a space where there were no doors and no privacy and no escaping each other, you are destined to be together forever!

 Last Minute Trip To India

I have already wanted to go to India, and it was my perfect chance while I was in New Zealand.  I jetted off and saw a part of the country, ate fab food, got travelers diarrhea, saw the Taj Mahal, and made me very grateful for everything that I have.  

Spending One Month with Deano in the Car 

On our quest to see as much of New Zealand as possible, led us to buy a car for $900 and traveled around.  We stayed in a different place every night.  We camped, bunked, hosteled, and crashed in friends spare rooms.  We saw magnificent scenery including the southern tip of New Zealand, a pristine, less traveled area.  I hiked on a glacier.  Went for a boat trip in Milford Sound.  And enjoyed our time together.  I learned that Dean should not plan trips as he tries to cram in so many things in so little time that it’s impossible to enjoy everything! 

A Few of My Summer Campers

I had some great summer campers this year.  And as my first year running the registration program from start to finish, I felt like I really knew most of my campers even if I couldn’t put a name to the face once they got here.  We had some adorable campers, some that were bad but made me laugh.  One girl looked like Annie from the musical, and she would sing for us and it made me laugh so hard I cried.  And after the associate director quit, I had even more responsibility.

Seeing my Aunt and Uncle for the first time in 10 years!

After a long summer, Dean and I headed down to Florida to visit my Aunt and Uncle.  It was great to visit with them, go to the beach, eat fried catfish and sushi, and enjoy their company.

Chicago With Adi

I rekindled a friendship with my buddy and we had some wild times down in Chicago.   Going out, having breakfast with random men, and overall, just having a good time.  It also made me realize how much I love the great city of Chicago and I am counting down the days until we can make the move down there.

Dominican Republic

My first all-inclusive experience.  After budget traveling for so many year, it too us both a while to get used to the fact that we could eat and drink as much as we wanted and it wouldn’t cost us anything extra.  We enjoyed a sailing lesson, pina coladas and steak.

Having A Place To Call Home

We are currently living in an apartment for longer than four months.  Its exciting to have a little normalcy  and consistency in our lives.  A place where we can call our own, decorate and start collecting items for our own condo at some point in the very near future.

What I am looking forward to in 2008:

1) Losing that weight, seriously, I need some motivation and dedication, but I think it’s going to be the year.  I am sick of it constantly being on my mind.

2)  Going to Peru with my dad.  I think it will be good for our relationship and I am looking forward to spending sometime in a new country.

3)  Purchase of my first home.

4)  A big move down to the city, hopefully part-timing it up in the LG too.

5)  Another trip by myself either to Morocco or Eastern Europe.  Traveling solo is one of the best feeling on earth, as long as you are safe in what you are doing.

Busy Bee

Geez, it’s been a busy week.  I actually haven’t really been doing much, but haven’t been in my apartment but to sleep.  Christmas was great!  My family and I spent the holiday with my best friend since kindergarten and her family.   We had a great potluck, with traditional potluck stuff not these healthy potlucks I have been to recently.  I think I love all those cheesy casseroles and jello salads because when we were younger, we never had that stuff.  And now that I live with a semi-health nut, we don’t eat junk like that except for our occasional pan of brownies.  Enough about my eating habits, that’s a whole other post.

Wednesday was filled with after-Christmas shopping.  Although I only spent $23.08 the whole day, it was nice to spend time with my mom.  I got a few really nice ornaments for my tree, all for half price at Target.  I actually feel that my Christmas tree is actually mine and not a complete spin-off of my parents.  I spent Wednesday night unpacking all my Christmas goodies, including my new prized possession of a set of 11 new beautiful, anodized, fabulous, food network pots and pans and lids and strainers with the accompanying wooden spoons so that I am sure that I will not scratch these new, wonderful pans.  Because I need to do some rearranging in the kitchen, they are still all set out nicely on the stove for my eyes pleasure everytime I enter the kitchen!

Yesterday (and for the next five days)  I will be working my nights at Gordys.  Last night was a successful night and profitable as well.  I enjoy working when it is busy, then the time flies.  Although I was hoping to be home and cuddled on the couch by 9pm last night, I was happy to stay a little later and make the money while I could.   I’m on again tonight but am worried about the roads as the snow is piling up.  I went to get the mail this morning, a normal 5-minute trip took me almost a 1/2 hour.  Because I live at the bottom of a hill, it proves very difficult for my little Saturn to maneuver the ice and snow on a steep grade.  I might be walking to work tonight if this doesn’t stop soon!

Enough blabber for now! Peace!

P.S. Who reads this blog anyway?  I see many visitors, just leave a comment, I promise I won’t bite!

Shots

I need to get my vaccinations for my trip to the Amazon, which is proving very difficult because I can’t locate all my shot records from when I had a bunch in Australia and New Zealand.  I dont’ remember what I have had and what I have not.  So, during these few days at my parents, I am going to search through piles of crap that I have brought back from all my travels and attempt to get things together. 

I have to get my yellow fever shot or else I will not be allowed back into the country.  And what comes with a yellow fever shot…..a nice certificate in my passport.  I love my passport and any extra stamps or visas or anything make me extremely excited.  So, off I go, searching for my shot records!

Just When I Thought It Was The End

I have been waitressing forever, and mostly during really busy times.  Therefore, when I worked I was used to bringing home 100+ a night, sometimes double or triple that.  But lately, either I was making $20 or getting cut without making anything.  I was actually having to budget my paychecks and really watch what I was spending.  Which was good, but having that extra cash during the summer/fall was really nice.  I am also used to saving most of my money and watching that savings account grow, but lately, I haven’t been able to put much money in my savings account.

 Well, good news.  Last night I actually made some good money.  We weren’t even busy buy I got an awesome tip.  So, now that that happened, I am actually looking forward to going to work tonight and making some money!

A Student Once More!

I am officially considered a student again complete with a student ID and all.  I registered to start taking some classes for fun/get my brain in gear at Gateway Tech.  I am currently registered for a Spanish class and hope to enroll in the Juvenile Law class but have to wait and figure a few things out first. 

I am even doing my own “study abroad”  during the class because Dad and I are heading to Peru.  So I will get to test out those Spanish skills during the middle of the semester.

I am interested to see how these classes operate and what kind of people will be in the class.  Coming from a small liberal arts college, it will be very very different from what I am used to.  But I can’t wait to get back in school, and actually have homework.  I know that after a few weeks, I might complain but I am going to try really hard not to.

Christmas Parties

***First of all, my hands are absolutely freeeeeeezing right now.  I have a little portable heater aimed at my keyboard and I am trying not to shiver.  That’s just a side note.***

 Last night we had our Holiday Party for my second job.  I have worked there for about three years, off and on when I am in the country.  It’s good money and the people are good to work for.  Last night a large group congregated for drinks and delish food.  Many people came with their significant others, I hitched a ride with a friend of mine and her daughter.  I wasn’t going to go, for the fear of walking in alone and not knowing anyone.  Of course I know faces and names of most of the people that work for the company, but when it comes to mingling with them, that’s another story.  Without Deano, I am a lost puppy when it comes to social gatherings.

Anyway, there always has to be that one person that you laugh at for being drunk and obnoxious but secretly feel very sorry for because, geez, it’s your work party and you have to go to work for these people tomorrow.  Well, of course that person was there last night.  And when that person won that girlie tank-top in the raffle, they proceeded to put it on over their clothes and make a big drunken mess of himself.  This person obviously didn’t read “What Not To Do At Your Company Christmas Party.”

I have another small gathering, the one for my real job.  But it consists of three of us going out for a leisurely lunch and exchanging very small gifts.  Should be much more relaxed and I won’t have to fight for a space to eat and fight to get to the bar (probably because we won’t be drinking any alcohol).   Ahh, I love the holidays!

No Longer A Dorm Room

Since Deano has gone back to London for a little while, I have done some redecorating.  Mostly making due with what we already had, but just cleaning it up a little.  It no longer looks like we just got a bunch of random things and put them together like most do in dorm rooms or college apartments.  Seriously, that’s how Dean grew up so he doesn’t really see it.  Although I am not an interior designer I like to think that I have done a decent job with what I have.  I know the walls look a little naked, but I am working on photo frames from each of our big trips:  Australia, Thailand, India, New Zealand, and Fiji.

Here is our bedroom:

 

Here is our 2nd bedroom, notice the yellow and blue pillows on that couch?  Well the whole couch is that way.

The living room, notice the wonderful view of the lake and not the holes in the wall above the curtains (thanks for that one Dean)

Lastly, my Christmas Tree!! Thanks to Dean it is still standing up and is alive. Most of the presents are not mine but I have been putting off giving them out because then my tree would look really sad!

Snow

I haven’t really have been in a Wisconsin winter for over three years.  I did spend significant time in the Canadian Rockies, but I guess the snow didn’t bother me because we walked every where we went.

Since the beginning of December we have had many days of snow.  When it snows I am stuck in my apartment.  I can’t drive anywhere because to get out on the main road (even the main roads are crappy) I have to drive up two hills and maneuver several curves.  My little car just doesn’t cut it and slips and slides around. 

This morning I was in Chicago and had to shovel my car out of the parking space because the plows had pushed all the snow into my car. 

I finally figured out what the purpose of “snow fences” on the corn fields are for.  Tonight I drove into Delavan to pick up dinner and on my drive back you would have thought that it was snowing all over again because the highway had loads of snow drifting across the street.  It was crazy and extremely unsafe.

I love all the snow but if it keeps like this, it’s going to be a long, long winter.

Disappointment

Everyone knows that the best nights are never planned.  Those are the nights that you meet random people, go random places and produce random memories. 

 Tonight I am heading down to Chicago for the evening.  Hoping that the snow doesn’t hinder my driving.  But it seems things are pretty much planned for the evening and I feel that I might get disappointed.  I am praying that things are as much fun as last week, but that is a lot to live up to!

Shows Just How Grown Up We Are

These past few weeks I have been busy catching up with old friends.  It has been great seeing everyone and how much or how little they have changed from college/high school.  These friends have careers now, they go to work daily and are taking grad classes, there are lawyers and bankers and personal trainers.  Friends that have started up their own companies.  Some of us are changing the world or changing the lives of kids.  Friends and I spend countless hours a day sending emails back and forth from our desks.  It’s amazing.  We live in apartments and some of us are considering buying our first home.  Only ONE of my close friends is married, which is smart, too many people rush into marriage and end up divorced.  We are focused on living life and experiencing and learning everything we possibly can before we settle down.  We are forward thinkers and “outside the box” thinkers.  

Now that I have been in one place for more than six months, it feels like I can actually make plans with everyone because I know that I will still be around in the next few months.  I don’t have to work my brains out to make extra cash, so that gives me more time to spend with friends and family.  I have realized that how important that social time with friends is and nothing no amount of money (ok, maybe a some amount of money) can convince me to go to work and miss out on a great evening catching up with friends.  It’s something that I have missed since 3 1/2 years ago when I graduated college.  When you are gallivanting around the world, you have little time to make meaningful relationships.  Dean has been that constant person in my life and always will be, but close girlfriends can not be beat!

What brought me to write this post was because yesterday morning I got a phone call from a friend I went to both high school and college with.  She now lives in Vegas and leads and extremely exciting and entertaining life.  Her storied blow my mind.  She was in town for the weekend, and I knew that I would regret not seeing her.  I drove down to B-town and we had a great dinner and a glass of vino at Cafe Belwah.  I just made me realize how grown up we all really are.   Peace up my ladies!