Just eight more work days until I depart for Paris! Mom arrives here in Chicago on the 7th and we take the red-eye to Paris on Friday night the 9th. I'm getting really excited, but realized in a panic last night that I really haven't done the preparation I need to.
First, I called about my iPhone and activating the $25 international service. I'm not so worried about the phone, but the Internet, the apps and the GPS will be a great feature. Until I found out that it's $25 for 20 MBs of data and I use on average over 700 MBs per month. Ouch! Looks like I'm gonna pass on that.
Mom really wants to do some wine tasting and I looked into going down to Burgundy for a wine trip, but instead have decided to do an over night trip to the Loire Valley. We'll stay the night in the town of Blois at this hotel. Then we'll hit the Château de Chenonceau, the Château de Chambord and the Château de Blois. I'd also like to visit some wineries, probably in Vovray. Eek, so excited!
I also booked us a wine class at O Chateau in Paris. I found it myself, but then saw that David Lebovitz recommended it, too. I love him and plan to take several of his recommendations.
On Sunday we'll be visiting the Place des Vosges and probably the Picasso Museum. Plans are to attend an organ concert at Notre Dame and eat dinner in the Marais.
We'll be visiting the Louvre at some point, too. We've both been, but you can spend a lifetime and not see everything. I also just found a private museum that I wasn't familiar with, the Musee Jacquemarte-Andree and it's just a block from our hotel, so we'll be hitting that for sure.
Between houseguests, traveling and being sick, I haven't been to the gym in three weeks! Yikes! So, today is my first day back and I plan to hit it everyday (except the four days I'm out of town next weekend). And, I've made the decision to bring workout clothes and shoes with me on vacation. The hotel we're staying at has a great gym and I really need to take advantage of it. Sure, we'll be walking plenty, but I really need to work up a good sweat at least every other day while I'm there.
Now, I haven't started planning the Dublin leg of the trip at all.
Do you have any suggestions for Paris or Dublin? I'm open to everything!!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Two Weeks
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Take the Time
Regardless of what your opinions are, I hope that you'll take the time today to join in the President's National Health Care Forum. It's at 2:30 Eastern. Just visit here to RSVP and you'll get a link to watch online. You can even submit your question to be answered.
I, for one, support some serious health care reform. In fact, I'd support complete socialized medicine. But, my opinion is neither here nor there. The point is that I hope you'll get involved and spend some time learning more about the proposed plans.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Can't We Just Be Polite?
I'm not going to say that Mr. Frank was polite, or that his actions were appropriate. In fact, he's a little harsh and down right rude. But, really? Comparing President Obama to Hitler? That's a little extreme. I think that both parties in this exchange were going for shock value and trying to get our attention.
However, I do think that "Trying to have a discussion with you is like arguing with a dining room table, I have no interest in doing it" will be my new response to all things ridiculous.
Monday, August 10, 2009
60 Days
It's officially less than two months until my big vacation for my Mom's 60th Birthday. I am just so ready for an escape, and nothing says escape like leaving the country for two weeks!
As I mentioned before, I'm using points for our hotel in Paris so it's FREE! This isn't exactly where I wanted to stay, but the price is right. Don't get me wrong, there's something to be said for American accomodations, but we're not going to be in America. The location isn't ideal either, but again...Nothing beats free, right? I shouldn't be complaining, I'm not complaining. In fact, I decided to use my "clout" as a Hilton Diamond member and shoot off an email to the Hilton Arc de Triomphe to request an upgraded room and an Executive Level guarantee (both of which I'm entitlted to as a "Diamond Member", but that are granted on an availability basis.)
Really, I'm not trying to be bossy or needy, I'm just trying to give my mom a kick ass birthday. I figured if I don't ask someone else will and I don't want that someone else sitting in our hotel suite with a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower.
I sent off a nice, short note explaining that I am bringing my mom to Paris for her 60th birthday and would very much like a nice view and an upgraded room. Withing hours I'd received an email return offering a VIP arrival with a bottle of Champagne and a birthday cake upon our arrival, a room with a view, and an upgraded room on the Executive Level. How nice is that?! I love great service!
I was kinda feeling like I might be over Hilton properties, but might give them another chance. We'll see how this trip pans out.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Today I Am...
Shamlessly swiped from Blackbird.
... reading "The Sweet Life in Paris" by David Lebovitz
... listening to the new Regina Spektor album, "Far"
... watching the maple tree outside of my window
... drinking water
... making progress on reorganizing my new dresser drawers
... waiting for vacay in only 64 days!
... wondering how much it will cost to send all of my laundry out
... wanting this damn new rug in my office to stop shedding!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Poor Neglected Blog
I don't know why I can't seem to blog more lately. Just lots going on. Work has been crazy and whenever I can walk away from the computer I do. Blogging just hasn't held much allure for me of late.
This weekend was fabulous! Friday we went to the Lawrence Fish Market and picked up enough fresh sushi grade fish to feed a huge family. Friends came over and The Boy and I made sushi, nigiri, sashimi and maki. It wasn't pretty, but it was delicious. Seriously, the best fist I've had in Chicago, if you're here...go. The place is a total dive of a fish monger, but worth it. And cheap, too! Lots of fish, new friends, four bottles of wine and a pineapple make for a fun night.
Saturday was sleeping late, breakfast, a neighborhood walk then off to miniature golf and then a viewing of Arsenic & Old Lace in the park.
Yesterday was more sleeping late then a trip to the gym and errands. The afternoon was completed with a few hours at the beach and then Raiders of the Lost Ark at a park in Bucktown. Dang, that's still a great movie.
I have GOT to get black out blinds in my bedroom. It's a south facing window and it's SO bright, it's light here by 5:15 or so.
I'm also starting to get excited about my trip to Paris with my Mom in October. It's now just about two months away. Still a surprise for her. I have two ideas on how to break the news to her. One is a list of "60 Things to do on Your 60th Birthday" with #1 being "Go to Paris with Geg!" Or, I'm thinking of just sending her a copy of this book with the itinerary in it. Mom doesn't really love surprises, so I need to tell her. Is two weeks enough notice? What do y'all think.
The other exciting thing is that I'm signed back up for classes at Second City. I was halfway through Level C when I had to drop out due to sickness early this Spring. I'm going back to retake Level C and classes start next Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to it. It will be with a new ensemble, so I hope that I like them and that they like me!
Work is work. After super crazy travel for a month, I'm home for a while and looking forward to getting back into a routine with classes, the gym, work and sleeping well!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Biggest fish
I caught the first fish. The Boy caught the biggest...This 1.9 lb
bass. All together about 15 fish in just under three hours with two
bathroom breaks, 4 cigars, 10 beers and no injuries.
I've written about this before, but I love the great ethnic markets here in Chicago. The two in my new 'hood are Andy's Fruit Ranch and Cermak Produce. Cermak is certainly Hispanic focused and Andy's is a little Middle Eastern, Eastern European and Hispanic mixed.
Tonight I went to Andy's to pick up a few things and I'm always shocked at how low the bill is. Here's what I got for $23.74 tonight:
1 gallon skim milk
1 head romaine lettuce
1 head of red leaf lettuce
1 bunch of celery
2 lbs of baking soda
1 1.80 lb cataloupe
1.45 lb green grapes
1.10 lb necatires
1.27 Fuji apples
3 limes
1 huge red onion
1 bulb of garlic
1 large hand of bananas
1 big red pepper
1 lb plum tomatoes
1 jar of Dijon mustard
1 jar of mayo
1 pint of sour cream
1 Milka chocolate bar
That's alot of stuff!!!
It's such a great $$$ saving option compared to going to Dominick's or Jewel everytime I need groceries.
