Island time!

Mechen and I went to Kauai for a week-long, "Hooray, we get to spend extended amounts of time with each other!" vacation. We planned for the last-week in August as joint vacation time, but the location didn't get finalized until fairly late. We were thinking of road-tripping it to a variety of fun places within doable distances for a week vacation- Vail, Napa/Sonoma, SF, Northern California. But then I had a "Screw it!" moment. We'll have plenty of time in the future to take the cheapy option of road-tripping. Not to knock road trips- we had a great one in January- but I wanted to VACATION in a way that will be harder to do in the future if our family plans go the way we hope (i.e. please, please not during residency!).

So, Mechen told me a budget for our surprise destination and Kauai it was! The airfare was definitely a hit on the pocketbook, but we went pretty low-budget on the lodging through rented rooms and condos (VRBO.com, I love you!). We also rented a subcompact car per our usual routine, much to the chagrin of the rental car lady who was really hard-selling every option. Her final blow was, "Don't you want to rent a FUN car?" Um, no. I want to rent 4 wheels that work. You're talking to a woman who owns the cheapest Hyundai model- cars are not that important to me. Although I'll admit, I'm definitely an appreciator of nice cars when I'm getting a lift from a high-rolling friend, it's just not important enough to me for me to own one.

So, we went on Sunday after the Hail and Farewell kept us in town through Saturday night. We landed in Lihue several hours later and it was amazing. Have you ever experienced the perfect temperature air? I'm not sure of the exact number, but I know I felt it. Combined with a light breeze, it was perfection. We hopped in our most ono car and headed for the West Coast, to Kakeha. We stayed there for three nights and went to Kekeha beach, Barking Sands beach, Polihale State Park, Waimea Canyona and Koke'e State Park where we went on two hikes. We saw beautiful fog while hiking along Hanapu ridge and more fog and neat ecosystems while hiking the Alakai swamp. The hikes were a lot of fun, plus it allowed us to explore while staying out of the sun all day, every day. Although try as I might with the sunscreen, I got burned a few times. The sun was no joke. Also, Kauai was talked about as being such a beautiful place that people would take helicopter rides to see it. Helicopters were advertised as the best way to see the island up close- well, what about hiking? It was a lot of fun and Mechen and I had a great time. Of course, if we found a $500 bill on the sidewalk that said, "You must spend this on helicopter rides," of course we would have. But we felt it wasn't completely necessary for an amazing time and I feel pretty confident that we were right.

I'll write more about our East Coast Adventures in another post but for now, details...

8/15: Hawaiian Air from SD --> Honolulu --> Lihue
Lodging: Mindy's Rental (http://www.vrbo.com/94780)- 2 blocks from a beach with narrow strip of sand but nice sunsets!
Food highlights: Shave Ice (Jo-Jo's Clubhouse), Pina Colada by Mechen, master mixologist!

8/16: Hanapu Ridge Hike (4 mi)
Waimea Canyon
Halipole State Park
Shave Ice! (Jo-Jo's Clubhouse)

8/17: Alakai Hike (7 mi)
Barking Sands Beach
Shave Ice (Jo-Jo's Anueanue)

Time flies...

Ok, not really but I've had such a wonderful Summer and barely written about it at all. It's hard to motivate to write a blog post at work and since I rarely have internet access otherwise, well, blogging falls by the wayside.

July started off completely amazingly because I went to Norfolk to play the part of "good Navy girlfriend" when Mechen's ship returned from a six month deployment. I hadn't seen him since January and I had only talked to him on the phone four times during that whole time interval. The weekend was amazing. Too short, but to actually be with my boyfriend was such a treat. I know it's kind of weird to say- wow, I got to hang out with my boyfriend, fancy that. But after two years of loooong-distance, it's the little things that sustain me. Although my patience is getting thinner as December gets closer and closer. Hurry up December! (And why do I say that? Because Mechen has orders to CP and will be in San Diego. Hooray!)

I'll have to look at my calendar to update on other July goings on but August has also been a pretty good month because my sister Brady moved out to San Diego and is staying with me AND Rob and I went on a week long vacation to Kauai. It was totally awesome and beautiful. More details (and pictures!) to come!

Procrastination...

June has been so much fun. And while I should be working on a paper [see title], I've also been quite neglectful of this little page so really, who's the procrastinator now?!?! Um, I think it's still me.

The first weekend in June, I went to an American-French housewarming party with delicious French small plates (actually served in glasses) called Verrines were served. They were delicious and it was so much fun to see my friend Suzi and her husband Renaud again. I hadn't seen them since med school apart from seeing Suzi every so often here at the hospital.

Sunday 6/6, I went to Mumford and Sons which was an INCREDIBLE show. They were amazing live and I felt they had a lot of charisma that added to a live delivery of their songs. Here's a set list that is from Bonnaroo but seems to be pretty accurate to what I heard on the 6th.

*Sigh No More*The Cave*Awake My Soul*White Blank Page*Timshel*Nothing Is Written*Feel The Tide*Little Lion Man*Lover of the Light*Thistle and Weeds*After the Storm*Wagon Wheel* Roll Away Your Stone*

The weekend after, I became a true sailor b/c I completed my basic sailing course. It was so much fun, although hyper-competitive me always gets annoyed while learning a new skill. I can't handle totally sucking at something- well, I can but not very graciously. I'm still pretty terrible but I'm going to rent a boat and practice.

The third weekend, I went to Amanda and Nate's wedding which was so much fun and I met so many neat people there. A&N have a great group of friends and although I had met several before, it was nice to get reacquainted. I also became reacquainted with the idea that bottomless wine glasses are a TERRIBLE idea and I really ought to know that by now. Fortunately nothing too terrible happened other than a ridiculous hangover but really, smack on the hand for me.

That Sunday, I went to an Imogen Heap concert. I didn't know much about her music other than the stuff from the O.C. (I am so cool. And so 2005) and that three of my friends with excellent musical taste all like her stuff. The concert was great! Her sampling in real time and manipulation of the musical sounds was incredible. A setlist is pending but really, I am a big fan now. I know it seems I'm a big fan of every group I see, but it's in part due to the fact that I don't see that many concerts and I really only go to acts I already know and like.

This weekend, I'm on call. I'm supposed to be writing a paper *ahem* so I think I'll get back to that now. Tonight is my friend Kate's birthday celebration which I'm excited for- a big backyard BBQ! I haven't had grilled food in awhile. Hopefully, the pager will be quiet so I can stay and have a delicious dinner but it not, she and her husband live right up the hill from the hospital so I can get here and back in a flash.

Fun weekend!

This past weekend was the funnest! And while "funnest" might not technically be a word and some might even find it annoying, it apparently isn't as annoying as "kewlest" to some folks. That word sparks vitriol although I think it's hilarious. Oh, well. Tastemaker I'm not.

ANYway! I had so much fun this past weekend. On Friday, I watched "The Big Labowski" which I saw at some point during high school. I don't get the cult-classic appeal but there were some excellent lines. "I'm calmer than you...I just want to point out I'm calmer than you." In addition, I'm firmly on the side of hating the Eagles so I definitely appreciated the scene where the Dude gets thrown out of a cab for expressing the same opinion.

On Saturday, I had a pretty mellow day but then got called up by a friend to go out to "The Steamery." I love seafood! Too bad I misheard. But I loved the other place too, a very chi chi club called Stingeree here in SD. It's totally not my normal scene but the DJ was really good and we had our own table so much dancing ensued. Well, actually, not tons but it was a lot of fun.

I got home at 3 and guess what I had committed to prior to accepting the invite out on Saturday? A 10-miler starting at 9. I woke up and felt great so I went for it. I caught up with my friend Amanda whom I hadn't seen in awhile. We ran the entire Mission/Pacific Beach boardwalk continuing into Wind N'Sea and back. Then I went back home and crashed. It was a 3 hour nap and I woke up with a sleep hangover. It felt luxurious! Then, I went out to Neighborhood for dinner. I was STARVING since I slept through lunch. While the Black Bean Burger was pretty good, the sweet potato fries were STELLAR. OMG, so good.

Then, Jenny and I went to The National concert at Spreckel's Theater. They put on a great, energetic 2 hour show. The opening band wasn't bad and I really had a fun time. I would have preferred a Friday or Saturday night concert but it was worth staying out late on a school night!

The National's Setlist
* Start a War
* Mistaken for Strangers
* Anyone's Ghost
* Bloodbuzz Ohio
* Afraid of Everyone
* Secret Meeting
* Slow Show
* Squalor Victoria
* All the Wine
* Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
* Little Faith
* Conversation 16
* Apartment Story
* Daughters of the Soho Riots
* Abel
* Sorrow
* England
* Fake Empire
* Runaway
* Lemonworld
* Mr. November
* Terrible Love
* About Today

San Diego Spring!

I feel like my life is so boring after vacations! I go from doing new, exciting things all day long to the fairly mundane day-to-day. That being said, I love my life! I just don't know how interesting it is to talk about it sometimes. Whah-whah (aside: how do I type the Debbie Downer tone b/c I think what I just typed "sounds" more like crying).

My weekend has been pretty fun although SUPER mellow. The highlight was definitely Mechen calling! Hooray for sneaky phone calls on official lines! It was so great to talk to him and hear his laugh. It's funny because we keep up pretty well by email but there's so much to say and not that much time on the phone and sometimes I just want to sit there on the phone, knowing that we're doing the exact same thing at the exact same time.

I also got my nails done and I might have a new thing! I think my hands and feet look just slightly more "neat" and I love the unlimited tacky options I can have on my toenails. Mainly in terms of color. I think I'm too cheap for flowers or Swarovski crystals on my big toe! Right now, I have a delightfully tacky hot pink color on my toenails. I would pick a totally Crayola color except I always think I'm being made fun of when all of a sudden, the language switches from English to another! Choices!

Copenhagen Wrap-Up!

After the Switzerland trip, we were back baby! Back in the land of the hopelessly chic and budding trees, which was very exciting after having lived in San Diego for two years. Trees without leaves? How novel!

So, on the 15th, Dad arrived in Copenhagen for his R&R from Marja. Much needed, I think. And it turned out to be unbelievably fortuitous that he arrived on the 15th rather than his original date of the 16th b/c European Airspace was starting to get a little messy at that point although total chaos didn't hit until the 17th. Although Dad was tired, he wanted to do something so we hit up the Louisiana museum again and the Batten amusement park where Joe kicked ass on a shoot-out game. I didn't partake but I was happy to see the entire "Color in Art" exhibit and grab a beer outside on a day with crystal blue skies.

The next day, I went to Roskilde on my own and saw the coolest Viking museum. The ships were amazingly reconstructed by having the recovered beams affixed to stark steel beams. There were also replicas available for viewing. It was small but really cool. It's amazing what interests peoples and what hobbies people pursue. I have to admit though, I wanted to take up 8th century ship building techniques and build myself a rowboat!

On the 17th, Dad, Joe and I went to Dragor to see the cute fishing village. Joe and I also went to the Glyptotek back in Copenhagen and saw the coolest Egyptian exhibit where we walked down a darkened staircase like we were going into a tomb. There were several sarcophaguses and two mummies! AUGH! Mummies! That night, we had Joe's commissioning ceremony and party which was totally awesome. My brother, 2LT!

The next day, my flight was cancelled due to massive volcanic ash. The whole family went for a walk in Fredickborg Park, which was beautiful. We had an extra family dinner (yay!).

Finally, on Monday, I went for one last bike ride, walked the Stroget and had drinks with everyone except Brady who had started her epic train journey. I went to the airport last night and managed to book a flight to start my trip home. The catch? Overnight bus to Oslo. Otherwise, I was stuck in Copenhagen until the 27th. Not really an option.

So I went on an overnight bus with a seatmate who expanded when sleeping and had personal space issues, at least according to my uptight American way of thinking. Then I stood in two lines for a combined 5 hours and yelled at old people who were cutting (let it be known that they were very healthy and WRONG- they were not infirm, nor were they right although they thought so. They were just dirty cutters). Next, I cried at the counter b/c I thought my wallet was stolen and got a voucher for coffee. I then proceeded to find my wallet in a different bag (thank goodness!). I was pretty embarrassed that I was so out of it that I had packed my wallet. Who does that? People who want to get free coffee and have no dignity, apparently. (Me!) But really, I had sprinted after a bus when I first figured out my wallet wasn't in my purse so really, I thought someone had lifted it in Copenhagen since I had my purse open, basically asking someone to steal it from the luggage cart.

The first leg though, I felt my head roll in the headrest like I was in need of a good old fashion exorcism. When I woke up, my seatmate was gone. More room for me! Score! Write that down as a technique for future flights!

Switzerland sub-trip!

On Saturday, Ed, Joe and I headed out to the Airport to visit Brady in Zurich. While this ends up being slightly ironic given the airplane difficulties at the end of the trip (and if it isn't strictly "ironic," I don't care), it was an awesome sibling trip to several amazing cities in Switzerland.

We went out in Zurich, except for Joe who was still recovering from his arrival the day prior. We went to the pedestrian streets of Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstrasse. We saw the neatest toy stores with very well-made toys, mostly craftsy, stuffed or wood-based. Ed and I also explored a mid-century modern furniture store much like Design Within Reach which means budget-wise, it's anything but. But the store was cool with multiple levels of wood and grating. Then we went back to Brady's house, had a fondue party and then headed to a bar to finish the night.

The next day, we headed to the Ticano canon to visit Lucarno the first day followed by Bellinzona the next. Locarno had two neat sights: Franciscan Santuario della Madonna del Sasso church up the funicular and the Castello Visconteo. We went to a restaurant of the Gran Piazza for dinner which was good and more importantly, cheap-ish.

Bellinzona was a little bit higher on my favorite list because it had a UNESCO World Heritage site! It comprises multiple sites: Castelgrande, Montebello Castle, Sasso Corbaro Castle, the city walls and the Murata. It was quite a walk in this natural confluence of Alpine passes but it was so beautiful. I had the most delicious lunch- a lasagnetta, a seafood sauce with three thin slabs of fresh pasta arranged in lasagna style. It was delicious although initially, I had my doubts. Then we headed back to Zurich.

The next day, Joe and I headed to Lucerne and saw the transport museum with the neatest mousetrap ever, the Martyred Lion, the mirror maze, Glacier Garden, the covered bridges and the beer garden! Or rather, a beer garden with delicious beer!

The last day, I spent mostly on my own touring Zurich proper to include the Grossmunster with beautiful stained glass windows by Giacometti and Munch, the Fraumunster with Chagall windows, the Lindenhof, the Frietag store and my favorite, the Kunsthaus with the best collection from Emile Bruhle, a Swiss collector who may/may not have been the most ethical collector in the 40s although he did return paintings that were properly claimed (and then bought them again!). That evening, we returned to Copenhagen and pigged out on Indian food made by Mom. Certainly not needed by that point but delicious.