A Recipe for the Perfect Vacation

Most of you know me well enough by now to know that every trip I go on, I go to Seattle. No other reason than I love going to Seattle. I love going to see my family. I love going to see my friends. I love the mountains. I love going to hug Baby Cohen. Heck, I even don't mind the rain! So, my next announcement will absolutely floor my audience to learn that I am heading out of Ohio in March, and I'm heading to the great state of Florida! I'm not kidding, pick your jaw up off the floor!

What turned into something that was just a joke, turned into something that became reality. A dear friend who I worked with during my eHRO/HP days in Recruiting for Cardinal is getting married and this great little trip is going to turn into a small mini-reunion of people from our team getting together wishing Mandi & Brian happiness in their marriage.

There are a few things that are going to make this trip amazing. Below you will find the recipe for a fantastic trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida:

First, you need one of these: a plane ticket. My dear friend responsible for purchasing our tickets must have been really excited to go! She sent me the itinerary and thank goodness my eye caught the word "February." She had us going a month earlier! Oops! With the switch, we had a minor increase in price but nothing her or I couldn't handle. Whew. We're still on our way... just with a layover. We'll live and just have to make due with people watching and making fun of people in the Nashville airport.

Secondly, you need a hotel. Thank you to the Bride & Groom's website - we will be staying in one of their blocked rooms as the Residence Inn - Clearwater Beach. Isn't she pretty!? This can't be a Warren Family vacation, because this is way too fancy for the Warren's!
Third: a planned lunch with a connection through Cardinal. Frenchy's on Clearwater Beach. We'll be there for lunch, we'll be on the beach eating lunch, and we'll be enjoying the sound of the ocean while we eat our lunch! The only thing I hear while eating lunch on a daily basis right now is the wonderful lady who sits next to me at work who blows her nose continuously throughout the day. (Appetizing... let me tell ya!)
Fourth: The Wedding location - very important when attending a wedding. Though we will not be present at the ceremony, I have NO problem with attending the reception at the Marriott on the beach. How amazingly wonderfully is this going to be?! As long as I don't have to carry anyone in off the beach from drinking too much, I am certain that Mandi & Brian's wedding will be nothing less than beautiful.
Fifth: The views. I cannot tell you the last time I've been to the beach! For a person who loves travel, who loves photography, who hates the cold & snow - this is going to be the perfect trip for me!
Lastly: you need the perfect partner in crime. In this case - it is going to be my dear friend, Mindy. Together, her and I tend to get the most random and strange ideas. It all started with our connection for the love of Bob Barker. A few years back, we were bound and determined to get to Burbank and see Bob up close and person on the Price is Right. Just under the gun - we made it to the audience Bob's last week! We had our matching t-shirts, we had our spot in line at 3am, and we were pumped! So, the fact that we are going to Florida for our mini- reunion to see Mandi, to see Aaron, and to see Susan is going to be a BLAST!

Watch out Clearwater Beach, here comes Double Trouble!!

I have cabin fever!

I've lived in Columbus for nearly 15 years now, and have never experienced a winter of so much snow in my life! This winter, we have really been hit hard from every direction with the snow storms. At first, I thought it was just me who was complaining and finding this winter a huge struggle. The more I chatted with people around me, they agree that this winter has sucked! Sitting here on this chilly (but warmer!) Saturday afternoon, all I can think of is going to other places. Not now, nor anytime in the near future - but it had me thinking about all of the places I would love to go to and am waiting to win the mega-millions so I can visit every place on my list.

If we remember back to a very old post from early last year, I have the goal of visiting every single state in the United States. There are obviously some over others that I would visit, but I want to be able to have my imaginary RV Map that I could fill in the state as I go. Wouldn't that be fun!? I look at my Grandparents, and I watch them travel all over from October-May just going wherever they want to go in their RV, or by plane, or by boat... I want that life upon my retirement. (Yep, I'm not even 30 and thinking about retirement!) I want to travel!

A few places that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go are the following. I am keeping them to five; I don't want to sound like a Foder's Travel Guide. However, these are some places that I would put in my top five places I want to see and explore. I would like to add, that there are other places I could throw into my top 5 that I've already been to - but I am keeping my list fully for places that would be new and that I've never been before.

Washington DC
*In the Springtime

I am pretty sure that I am the last human in the world who wasn't able to explore Washington DC in the 8th grade. I have always felt as if I missed something listening to all of my friends talking about their memories from going with their school. Living out in the West Coast in California at the time, I wasn't lucky enough to go like my mid-westerner buddies. Though, I am sure people might be thinking I should have something else above Washington DC as a destination to visit, I can't help it. I'm a American History major at heart!


Portland, Maine
*Summertime
There is something very intriguing about the state of Maine. I've seen so many picture of the lighthouses, the beaches, and it just makes me wonder why no one goes there more often! It is almost like one of this little hidden treasures that not enough people visit. Looking at pictures, it truly looks like a quaint little state full of little fishing towns. I'd love to go someday and see the sights and enjoy the scenery during the summer time and enjoy their beaches.

Vail, Colorado
*Wintertime
I know, I know - I hate the snow. It's the truth, I do hate the snow. However, for a trip to either Vail or Telluride, Colorado - I'd suffer! Not that I know how to ski, I'd want to learn here. I want to go to a lodge, I want to drink hot chocolate & wine in front of a fireplace, and I want to enjoy being surrounded by snow covered mountains. This will be the only time where I promise I won't complain about the snow and instead would love every moment!

Vermont/New Hampshire
*Falltime
This is by far one of my most important dream places. I would say that this one, and my next listed one are tied for 1st place on which one I want to go to the most. I love them both equally (in my head), and would be equally excited going to either one of them. I don't know where my obsession came into play with Vermont & New Hampshire - but it's a big one. I love Fall, I love colored leaves and I love fall clothes. Therefore; the perfect place for me would be Vermont/New Hampshire in the fall. I want to see the vibrant colors and enjoy the peacefulness of the nature surrounding me. Who wants to go with me?

Napa Valley, California
*Anytime of year
As stated earlier, I lived out in the West Coast for a few years and by West Coast - I mean Sacramento, California. When I lived out that direction, we did visit Napa Valley (as a family) once. However, I was no more than 11 years old and there is no way I could appreciate what was surrounding me at that point. Now, as an adult - I would love to go back and take in everything that Napa has to offer. I am a dedicated fan of wine, vineyards, wineries, and grapes. Napa would absolutely be a place where I would go and love every minute of what the area has to offer. I'll make it there someday.... I know I will.

I will make it to each place someday, I am making a promise to myself that I will achieve these goals. It is something to look forward to; and share the experiences with very special people who surround me. Who wants to go on a roadtrip?

Facebook: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I've come to realize that whoever the creator of Facebook is, they are pure genius. LinkedIn is a great source of networking for those in the business world, but Facebook is probably the greatest networking tool I've ever used in my life. Let's be honest, Myspace was so 5 years ago - and it really is disgusting now. It's like the Jerry Springer of social network sites. My Myspace friends list that once contained about 200 people, now holds 75. How sad is that? I should really just delete it all together, but I hold onto hope that there is one friend from my days of living in Washington or California that may or may not find me from Myspace. So - I keep it around, just for a rainy day. (I am from Seattle after all and can relate to the rain...)

Then...

There's Facebook

Facebook has become a great way to connect with old friends, relatives you don't see often, relatives you see too often, and allows you to know co-workers who you don't know much about. Majority of everyone I know now, has a Facebook. Imagine my shock and surprise when I found out that my Grandpa did. Never in a million years could I imagine that happening, but that's how you know just how big it is. I've reconnected with so many lost friends and family, that I've lost count. I could go on about the benefits of this social networking site for days, but I'll spare you. You yourself, likely has a Facebook - so you already know!

To go with every pro, there has to be some cons. I know, you refuse to believe it - but there are.

• Frequent Status Updates: I understand that many of you might have a lot going on, but the need to update your statuses every 5 minutes can be a little exhausting. I do care that you are doing the dishes, washing your car, or chasing your cat behind the couch - but let's space it out a little bit. Since I've been home from work, I have done the following: kicked the snow off my boots, changed my snow covered pants, made dinner, ate dinner, helped my sister work the new mixer, watched 3 shows on tv.... now can you imagine if I would have posted a new status for every time I did something new? You'd probably be a little annoyed. Just throwing it out there!
  
• Bragging Statuses: Not considering people's feelings in your statuses is harsh. Personally, I try very hard not to say things that I know is going to hurt the feelings of one of my friends and family. I could have posted about every date I've ever been on, I could have posted about every vacation I've ever planned from the moment it has come up, or all of the income tax money I've received back this year- but, I don't. I know that it hurts people's feelings, and I do try to do my best to ensure that no one feels badly about themselves when I put something up. Not to mention: there is a little thing called karma. I refuse to be hit by the karma bug when a relationship doesn't work out, when the gov't takes my money back from making an error, or a hurricane comes through my vacation spot in mid-March while I am in Florida. Always use caution when updating your braggy status. (However, every now and again is okay! Just don't make it a habit.)
  
• Misinterpreted Statuses: Nothing is more annoying than someone taking your own status out of context. When I post something along the lines of:
  Please do not assume that this is a direct hit towards you. This status is left open for interpretation, and could be about the snow. It could be about work. It could be about my trunk which had ice in the way from opening/shutting all the way and kept my "open trunk light" on. OR - it could be about you... but what did you do to make me say those awful words?!
• Need to have one more friend than the other people on your list: I am so completely okay with adding people you may or may not know very well. But, I often feel that people add people on Facebook merely to for the "I have more friends than you" factor. Now, I know that the 600+ people on my sister's friends list was all from college and her constant get togethers, parties & sorority functions. But, I also know that there are people on your list who you were never friends with, and you have added just to add if you have 1,000+ people... I've had those people tried to add me, and I can tell you - they are not on my list. If I wasn't friends with you in high school and you probably made fun of me - I'm sorry, I will likely reject your request.

Bottom line: Facebook is amazingly wonderful and a fantastic way to pass the time and learn about your friends! Before adding a few people on Facebook, I didn't know that they had the cutest dogs in the world, the most adorable baby with the most gorgeous of eyes, or that you had chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight.

I ask you: What would your world be like without the wonder that is Facebook?

Olympics Obsession

For as long as I can possibly remember, I've always been a fan of the Olympics. It could be the freezing winter Olympics, or the bright and cheery summer Olympics - it doesn't matter. I love both equally. No matter what is going on in my life, every two years I become obsessed with the Olympics. I will truly arrange my schedule to watch the Opening Ceremonies, or to watch my favorite events/athletes. This year is no exception, I was scheduled to spend the weekend up at Courtney's which is about 2 hrs away from me. I perfectly timed the time I would leave work and head up to her house to ensure that I caught every moment of the beginning of the games. From the 1st note of the Olympic Fanfare is played, I am filled with excitement! I think that it has something to do with Bob Costas and Matt Lauer commentating the games. They are a great team together!

There are so many events and athletes that I can recall through the years, and truly will hold in my mind forever.

Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov: Figure Skating Pairs, 1994 Lillehammer Olympics

For those of you who do not know the background to this amazing duo, here is a little background information. Ekaterina Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov were a gold medal winning duo from Russia. Regardless, Americans loved them and they were very well loved through all the world. When they skated, you could see the love that they shared was real and the connection that they had. In 1995, during a practice Sergei collapsed and suffered a major heart attack. In 1996, a book was released written by Ekaterina about their figure skating days and love that they had for one another. In 1998, she released her 2nd book which was dedicated to her daughter. In this same year, I had the opportunity to meet her in person and get her book autographed. It was such a wonderful experience. From this point on, Ekaterina continued her skating career as a solo, and continues to skate today in exhibitions.

Michael Phelps: Swimming - 2008 Beijing Olympics
Let's face it, this guy is an animal! In the most recent of summer Olympic games, all Americans were glued to their tv watching Michael continue to break various records on time and medal counts. Throughout the games, he continued to win those medals and become a major role model for all young athletes. Watching him continue his streak truly was truly amazing.

Jaycie Phelps, Gymnastics - 1996 Atlanta Olympics
I can't lie, Gymnastics is probably my most favorite event of all the Olympics. Not that I ever did Gymnastics, but I suppose it is the closest to my background of competitive Baton Twirling; especially with the floor routines. Jaycie Phelps, to me, had the ultimate floor routine in the 1996 Atlanta games. From the moves, to the music - I will always remember it! A part of me thinks that I loved her routine because her song was one of the songs that one of my great friends twirled to in her team routine. I think that I had the connection of watching Jen twirl to the song, and Jaycie dance around the floor to the song. I will always remember Jaycie and her attempt for the gold during these games.

Tonya Harding: Figure Skating - 1994 Lillehammer Olympics
Let me start by saying, I liked Tonya Harding before she went crazy and hiring hit mans to take out Nancy Kerrigans knee. That's a very important note before I start my little blurb on her Olympic experience in Lillehammer. To me, I actually like Nancy Kerrigan more (for obvious reasons!). The games for Tonya, didn't turn out so hot due to the broken lace prior to one of her events. In a hurry, the lace was replaced with a lace that was far too short for her boot and ended up breaking once again in her first jump. However, there was something about Tonya's outfit that stood out in my mind. A year later, I begged my Mom for a new baton outfit for my solo competition routine and to my shock - she agreed if I helped pay for it. I babysat and did chores to help with the making of this new outfit and the final product turned out modeled after her Lillehammer outfit. It turned out perfectly and just the way I wanted. I have Tonya to thank for the inspiration!

Last but not least - my favorite Olympic memory...

Kerri Strug: Gymnastics - 1996 Atlanta Olympics
Women's Gymnastics was flawless during the 1996 Olympic Games. The team was known as the "Magnificent 7" because of their skills, strengths and being an all around phenomenal team. With a few mistakes, they remained strong but were followed close by the Russians and the Romanians. Kerri Strug was the last of the Americans to take the vault, and would be the deciding factor of who won the gold medal. The vault was the strongest of her events, and the team went in confident. First vault landing was rough, and caused her to fall and injure her foot. Shaking it off, her team members were confident that she could shake off the pain and hopefully the result was minor. The second vault she stuck PERFECTLY, and all of the United States were cheering until she fell down and was unable to walk off the floor. Though this vault was the key to their winning the gold medal in these games. Every time I watch the video on youtube, I tear up (aka: cry like a baby). This event is one that I will never forget, nor will I need to rely on youtube to watch it for a reminder. It is something I will remember forever.

My goal: one day to be at the Olympics in person. I don't care if it is Winter, I don't care if it is Summer - I want to experience everything first hand. Hence why I was hoping Chicago would win the bid for the Summer Olympics. However, I guess I will be forced to buy a passport and someday leave our wonderful country to experience the Olympics elsewhere in the world. I'm looking forward to this goal!

My Promise...

I've been thinking a lot lately about all of the relationships that I currently have. By relationships, I am talking about with my family, with my friends, with my co-workers, or even with the random stranger who I pass walking down the street. Obviously, through the years - people come and go out of your life and that is just the way life is. We're all adults here, we can take it that people just drift apart due to different life situations or opinions.

However, the people that I have in my life are very important to me. It doesn't matter if they are local or if they are far away, everyone person still means the same to me. It is the distance relationships that make "the heart grow fonder" in my opinion. Though I do not get to see those distance friends/family as often, it just makes me miss them and wish that I could see them that much more! With those people who are currently in my life, I want in my life forever. Though, we can all agree that tomorrow we could meet someone new of equal importance - and we want to hang onto them as we do our current friends/family/etc. I welcome anyone who wants to be apart of my world.

To my existing relationships: I want to make a promise to make a few promises to you.

*I promise to you that no matter what happens in life, I will always remain the same person that I am today. I under no circumstances will EVER fall back on my feelings, thoughts and actions. If I say I am going to do something, I will always follow through. If I think that something is negative and do not want to be a part of it - I won't be. You all know me well enough to know that I hold true to my word.

*I promise never to do anything to purposely hurt you or your feelings. If I know that something is going to be hurtful to you personally, I will make this promise that I will always remember your feelings prior to anything I may do or say.

*I promise to always help you - whether it is something silly like pushing your car into a parking spot in the snow when its -10 degrees, or it is something major like losing a family member/friend and needing support. I am yours 100% and nothing could ever stop me from being there for you.

*I promise to always be considerate when you ask me for my opinion. Lots of family/friends come to me for advice, and I never turn anyone away. I will think about your feelings prior to answering, though I will always be honest. It's one of those lifes lessons that we are all taught: "To think before you speak..." I'll always think. In return, I ask that you understand that if you ask me for my opinion and you do not like my honesty (though it is always with good intentions), you should be open to atleast listening.

***If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me. ~Author Unknown

What am I doing here?!

Winter. I'm not a fan! Honestly, one would think that it should be one of my favorite seasons considering it is full of great fun at Christmas, New Years and my Birthday. However, winter is the one season that I dread most. There are those people who cannot handle being hot, I am certainly not one of those people. Even if it is 100 degrees outside with humidity, I would much rather sit outside and sweat than deal with the winter weather. In the Summer, you'll still find my bed with a huge comforter, and lots-o-blankets. However, once winter rolls around take that lots-o-blankets and triple it and add a heated mattress pad.

I truly believe that I am one of those people who when Winter rolls around, I turn crabby! There is absolutely nothing about walking through a Fortune 500 Company parking lot with the temperature being 0 degrees, but with the windchill takes it down to -15 degrees. Not to mention, the snow, the ice, and freezing rain ... and the need to warm up your car for 30 minutes prior to even thinking about starting to chip away the ice covering the windows.

Those who know me know that my heart is is truly in Seattle as well as Columbus. I love both cities for very different reasons; but I will tell you - when it comes to Winter Time, Seattle wins me over! I was sitting here tonight, freezing, looking at the foot of snow covering my patio thinking "I wonder what the snow fall in Seattle was last year compared to Columbus?"

Let me share with you these statistics:
Seattle 2009: 11 inches of snow
Columbus 2009: 27 inches of snow

Are you kidding me?! Here is what makes even less sense to me! You walk out of any door in Seattle, or look out any window and you see this:

My personal favorite mountain, Mount Rainier. Elevation, 14,411 feet.

Think about it, Seattle sits right at the base of a snow covered mountain and only gets 11 inches of snow in 2009.

Columbus, Ohio - Highest elevation: Campbell Hill 1,549 feet. Clearly, this is no mountain by it even being called a "hill." No snow covered mountains, and yet we get 27 inches of snow last year. It truly boggles my mind!

I sit here and wonder: if I hate the snow, I hate the cold, I hate the wind, I hate the ice and I hate living in negative temperatures in the winter... what am I doing here?!

Now, don't get me wrong: I love Columbus. However, let's be honest... this mess that we've got going on for the 2nd Winter Storm for us in the past 4 days is getting a little tiresome. On that note, I better go to bed now to prepare to wake up early to go clean all of the fresh snow and ice off my car from what will continue to fall tonight....... ::sigh::

The Worst Day of the Year

I am not sure how well you all know me, but there is one thing that all of those around me who know me know this little fact. There is one day of the calendar year that I do not like, and regardless of what happens later in life - I will continue not to like. For others, it's one of the best days which they cannot wait to approach.

Well folks, we are rapidly approaching this day...

February 14th -- Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is the single worst Holiday that we celebrate. Knowing that majority of those around me have loved ones, and have someone to celebrate it with - I understand that they may love this day. For me, who has spent 99% of her years on this day single, I have a very different perspective. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that people around me are happy. I am happy that they have Valentine's of their own. But for those single people out there, it is a day of constant reminders that they are losers and cannot find a Valentine of their own. Especially when this reminder comes once a year, after year, after year, after year, after year....

Am I jealous? Well - of course I am! I would be lying if I said I wasn't. However, I am not jealous enough where I cannot function through the rest of my life and I do have the ability to move on. I am also adult enough to realize that my time will come. But, do you know what may not come - is my liking for Valentine's Day. As stating before, it is a hurtful Holiday. I look around at my single friends around me (we are few and far between and very much the minority), and I watch us sit and scratch our heads wondering it will be our turn. Single people do not need this constant reminder, and blow to the self-esteem. Moving forward in my life, I cannot say that this is a Holiday that I ever want to celebrate. There are hurting people on this Holiday, and being that I've been in those shoes and hurting myself - I don't want to think about those people around me who are hurting. Is there a celebration for single people during the year? Nope. I truly believe that it is crap.

Am I bitter? Nah. I'm realistic. It shouldn't take Valentine's Day for your loved one to remember to remind you of how special you are. That is what Anniversaries are for. That is what Birthdays are for. That is what Christmas and New Years are for. Cupid is a short little bald baby wearing a diaper... I know plenty of little babies who are far cuter than homely little Cupid.

The best day of my life? February 15th: When Valentine's Day is over and I do not have to think about it for 364 more days.

"Ignore Her!"

Growing up with a younger sister, we had our spats, battles and fights. We never had the fights where we would pull hair, pinch, punch or beat each other with our baton's (thank goodness, that would hurt!).

Let's face it, sisters get on each others nerves.

~There is the older sister who when the little sister is born, becomes jealous of all of the attention that the younger sister brings. Granted, the little sister doesn't know about the jealousy - but the fact of the matter is, it happened. (Don't worry, the older sister gets over it!)

~The younger sister wants to grow up so fast, she wants to follow in the footsteps of the older sister and wants to hang out with the older sister every chance she has. (In the future, the older sister doesn't mind and actually enjoys spending time with the little sister.)

~The older sister would make fun of her younger sister in saying that she has "greasy hair" or a hair out of place. (I'm thankful to report that the younger sister only has greasy hair when she goes 4 days without washing it - which you and I are both happy to know she doesn't ever go that long. Whew!)

~The older sister would try her darndest to try to convince the younger sister that her name was "Gladys Eliza Harriott Rosebud," and the younger sister would be in tears when reminded for the 10th time. (Don't worry: her name is not Gladys...)

All of these things would result in one thing, one of the sisters running to (typically) Dad, and tattling of what the other one was doing.

His response...

Everytime...

"IGNORE HER!"

This is a quote that I still carry with me today and can hear my Dad in my head every single time someone does something that drives me crazy or says/does something hurtful. If there is a moment in my everyday where someone doesn't consider someone else's feelings and purposely goes out of their way to be mean, I will always hear him say: "Ignore her!" (This goes for males too! So I would ignore him - so don't think that this is single sided, friends!) I've been in situations where I think to myself "Why would someone say that to me?! That was flat out mean!" I remember those two words, and my worries go away. I don't have the time or energy to waste of negativity. I'd rather devote my life to happy things, and just making myself and others around me happy! Thank you my dear sister for being my partner in crime, and learning this lesson with me! I'm glad to know that we never have to use these two words again since we have learned to get along so well!