Around the World in 2013

Travel in 2013

According to TripIt, I was on the road for 135 days, visited 42 cities and 7 countries and traveled 64,000 miles. Most of this was for work, but I managed to squeeze in some incredible personal experiences as well. 

Three weeks in Europe was the major highlight where Greg and I visited London, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. In London, I ran into one of my favorite friends from high school and tried to unsuccessfully track Princess Kate down. We are meant to be besties. Go to Berlin. It's the weirdest city and filled with history. In Prague, beer is cheaper than water and I almost turned into a kolache. I have never been to a more beautiful city than Prague. Vienna is filled with museums and the Naschmarkt, a massive open air market filled with restaurants and vendors. We ended our trip in Budapest. Welcome to the NYC of Eastern Europe. To experience local life, we visited a bath house where I was spanked by a Hungarian masseuse. It was terrifying.

I have now visited 47 states. The only three I have yet to visit are Montana, Hawaii and Mississippi. 

My favorite city was Seattle. We lucked out with no rain and sunny days. North of the city in Edmonds is a fantastic Sinatra-esque bar, Daphne's that only has two tables and 8 bar stools. 

Memorable firsts

• Visited the North Pole in Alaska where lamp poles are candy cane striped and Santa runs the local bar. 
• Used AirBnB where we stayed in a boutique hotel in Prague and a woman's apartment in Vienna. 
• Took megabus for a total of $15 complete with wifi, a leather seat and a scenic drive up the Oregon coast. 
• Mini bowling in Milwaukee where a stuffed lion guarded the bar and people manually reset the pins. 
• Was asked by a hotel clerk if I brought a gun with me to Alaska when I wanted to experience light hiking.  

Food and more food. 

Before you do anything, pay $.99 and get the app LocalEats. It finds unique, non-chain restaurants. Below are some of my favorite new spots and some of the best food I have consumed. 

• Washington, DC - Union Market. A hipster's paradise with NY  style homemade bagels, incredible oysters, a meat market, fine tea - basically my kitchen. 
• Montreal - Le Cartet is the spot for lunch and breakfast. This is my favorite restaurant in the entire world. I would fly to Montreal just for brunch here. 
• Portland - Hit the bar at the Heathman Hotel (of 50 Shades of Grey) for the duck confit appetizer. 
• New Orleans - I was there for Gumbo Festival which was a win, obviously, but Bouligny Tavern is a step out of mid-century modern decor and incredible small plates. Think fried baby octopus. 
• Seattle - Radiator Whiskey. They have a chocolate chip cookie that they serve with house distilled whiskey for dessert and this is a meat eater's paradise. 
•  Atlantic City - Harry's Oyster Bar in Bally's casino. Don't be scared. It might be some of the best seafood in the East including the Cape May NJ oysters. I understand there is reason for hesitation for this entire scenario and if you are a sane human, you will likely never end up in AC.
• Denver - Brunch at Snooze. You haven't lived until you have had pineapple upside down french toast. For cocktail snobs, they have Aperol cocktails and a Bloody Mary menu. 
• Las Vegas - Culinary Dropout at the Hardrock. Eating the fried chicken is pretty close to the elation I have at purchasing a new handbag. You can even do the grab-bag special for beers. It's a mystery. 

What's in store for next year? 

Work travel is TBD but I will kick it off in my least favorite city, Orlando (manufactured fun). However, it's hard to complain when you are leaving the arctic in February. Our annual Adult Spring Break Trip with college friends is taking us south of the border in March. We have weddings in Nashville, Milwaukee and Lake of the Ozarks. Internationally, I am hoping we make it to South America with a blend of Machu Pichu and Argentina wine country. 

Digital Detox

Digital Detox

The next time you are on the train, standing in line at airport security or sitting at the terminal, watch your fellow commuters. They are all on their smart phones too engaged to care that you thoughtfully put a great outfit on for the day. About the only exception are parents trying to keep their little muffins engaged, which is sometimes by handing them their own device. Hello, I am a smart phone addict just like the rest of us. As a road warrior, I can’t imagine my life without constant internet access or GPS. Even GPS can’t solve my driving woes, though. As of 5 pm on December 23^rd , I am going to attempt a digital detox by temporarily removing things in my life that do not contribute value (facebook, instagram, twitter, etc.) until Jan 1^st. I am mentally preparing myself now. 

In order to make this a reality, I set parameters. I can read books on the Nook app and can indulge in my daily source of inspiration and information, The New York Times digital (I don’t have a paper subscription). I plan to check my phone once in the AM and once in the PM for texts; after all, I am planning a party on NYE.

There has been a lot of talk of these digital detoxes. Why am I doing this? I often feel a non-existant vibration in my bag thinking I have a message. I sleep with my phone and/or iPad next to me and have a habit of reading messages at all hours. I am guilty of texting while driving. Any minute of downtime usually consists of some app entertainment or reading my non-urgent emails for the 400^th time. Losing my phone would be worse for my morale than losing my wallet. The only things that take greater precedence to my phone are my husband, dogs and wedding ring in that order. 

All of my co-workers are taking this time off as are most of my customers. It’s the holidays and I have a new niece and a family that I enjoy hanging out with. We have engaged in a new home project of the living room. Sadly it doesn’t consist of knocking walls out yet, but we decided the walls and trim need a fresh coat of paint. I love to read and write. Due to airline miles, I receive mountains of magazines that I need to read and have several books on my list. I also keep saying I am going to finish this half written novel. Did I mention that I traveled 135 days in 2013?

Wish me luck. It’s less than 10 days total. If I have wine, I will survive. 

Get Out of Jail Before We Change Our Minds

Last week, I spent 4 days in Naples. I would like to say it was fun on the beach (which I did get to enjoy for a bit) from my ocean side condo. I flew to Florida for a medical emergency with my mom. She called me about 3 weeks ago asking for help booking a flight to Naples to visit her cousin and aunt for a week. Of course, and can I go with? Five days in, she started experiencing severe abdominal pain and managed to end her vacation in a Florida hospital with an infection in the bowels. Kelsey flew down to assist her for a week and then I flew down as a replacement with the goal to assist her home to Omaha for care under her doctors.

Tuesday AM -
Another day, another flight. Let's hope she is good to go and we can turn around on to a flight the same day.
Tuesday PM after getting to the hospital -
Holy shit. Mom is in much worse shape that I anticipated. If we make it home before Sunday, it might be a miracle. If she doesn't start making progress, we need to start looking at options for care in Florida. These thoughts proceeded by a breakdown in the privacy of my rental car. Did I mention I started a new job a few weeks ago? I almost asked the attending physician to put me on anti-anxiety meds, too. I am failing at everything this week.
Wednesday AM -
I believe in positivity and the miracles of modern medicine. Mom experienced a major improvement from the prior 12 hours. Now it's time to get bossy. Mom must believe she can go home and in order to do that, she must eat and move. I have to give the doctors confidence she can handle a 6 hour flight situation and that I am capable of getting her home on a commercial flight.
Thursday noon -
Hello doctor. Let me sell you on how everything is under control. It works. Anxiety and panic set in that I will be responsible for mom's well being as soon as she walks out of the hospital. I feel like I am springing an inmate from jail as soon as the warden says get out before we change our minds.
Thursday PM -
Panic is at an 8 of a 10 with every possible, horrible outcome on a flight with a medical patient. I swim until I can't feel my legs to burn off the nervous energy. Oh, and Greg, Happy 5 year anniversary.
Friday 3:30 am -
I am wide awake with anxiety.
Friday 4:30 am -
Mom is slow moving and the hospital staff is taking their sweet time. My patience is low, anxiety high. I am wide awake without a cup of coffee.
Friday 6:15 am -
Hello Ft. Meyers airport. The computers are down? Fucking great.
Friday 6:30 am -
The medical assist staff and security are incredible. Here is a fine tip, Sir.
Friday 7 am -
I am so anxious that I can't confirm if the pain in my back is because I may have pulled a muscle swimming or if this is a symptom of a panic attack. Have a cup of hot tea on the flight and breathe. Mom is still alive.
Friday 10:30 -
We are in a stopover in Chicago. Only 1.5 more hours. This feeling in my back isn't an old shoulder injury. Have another cup of tea. When she asks how we are on batteries for the oxygen tank, I tell the truth. Not great, but we should have enough to make it to Omaha. Will you be ok if we lose oxygen in the flight? That isn't really a choice.
Friday 11:20 am -
The last of the oxygen tanks batteries dies. Don't tell mom. Her breathing is normal. I feel like a new parent that keeps checking in on their first born making sure they are still breathing. We can power this tank up in the terminal. Have another cup of tea. Breathe.
Friday 11:45 am -
Get me off this plane and her to the hospital, then I can really breathe.
Friday 12:45 pm -
She is resting comfortably and waiting to be seen by the doctor. Melissa is there to take over. I need to remove myself and calm down. I need to start drinking something harder than red wine. I am asleep mid-sentence in 15 minutes on the drive home with Greg.

This situation took a lot of coordination between family members where everyone pitched in. Cancer is a team sport where no one wins. There is a serious effort for the victory that is unreachable. Mom is in Omaha where she wants to be. Doctor's are running tests to determine the next course of action. I am managing my anxiety every day and decided, scotch tastes like shoe polish.

Have faith in the process

My 29th birthday happened this week. Since the ubiquitous 21st birthday, the luster of birthdays has worn. This one was especially dreadful with a self-created pity party. Instead of enjoying all that I have, I spent it thinking about everything that I am not. The twenties has felt nothing short of manic. At 20 I was just starting to believe in who I am - starting friendships that felt real rather than out of circumstance, understanding education, creating a real independence. At 29, I can be confused where my 20 year old self went. Self doubt is a real bitch that creeps up and trips you when you think you are turning the corner. If 30 is going to bring more security, let's just call this party of 29 over. 

The difference between now and 20, is that I put more effort in the things that I want do, rather than the things I feel obligated to do. That line is hard when I work for a company where the separation of work and play are gray. I am paid to be an extrovert at work. Privately, I find quiet time to be a luxury and necessary. 

This year I plan to write more and to look into freelancing. I have started a love affair with books again. Maybe I will actually write a novel, but mostly I want to find some passion and fun in the process. Like my 20's, everything is a process when you are Type A. 

 

Write Your Own Ending

Yesterday she asked me at lunch if it would've been better a heart attack occurred and it was over.  There is no fair choice to a fast death or one that is imminent.  I was robbed when Jess and Bob both died suddenly. There were conversations and hugs and life activities that needed to occur before I was ready to say goodbye. My relationship abruptly stopped leaving me to decipher any clarity on my own.  My answer to Mom was no.  At the time, no felt like the right answer because saying yes would appear callous. This is the ending I want (well want is a relative term in this situation). I am able to have the conversations that I want and preserve her memory the way I see most honorable.  I get to write the end of my tragedy.  So going forward, no regrets. I won't regret the last time I see her although it might be under regrettable circumstances. 

Wednesday she starts chemo.  How she reacts to chemo is a big question mark.  If it makes her unbearably sick, she will stop and let things take their course. Even then, knowing a time frame is hard. The right combination would be that the chemo stops the spread of any new growth and allows Mom to have a reasonable quality of life. Cancer and chemo don't play fair, so my expectations are low.  

Hairdresser vs OBGYN

I have challenged myself to move my entire life to Lincoln (doctor, dentist, hair, etc.).  It's been an adventure of sorts.  

• AT&T still sucks.  Where does the nations largest carrier actually work well? 
• I am pickier about who does my hair more so than who does my pap smear.   Let's agree that both are personal circumstances, however one of them (GYN) is once a year and you get about the same service depending on who you go to.  A good hairdresser is hard to find and please, Miss, don't touch my eyebrows.  I am sure I will reverse my statement when I am knocked up, unable to die my hair and ready to push a child out.  
• The LNK airport is ridiculously awesome if you can score a flight. Maybe 10 minutes total to park, check-in and get through security.  
• Home values are about 15-20% more expensive here and good luck finding a yard unless you are in south Lincoln. We found one that came with "pets" aka termites and weeds. 
• The denim trend can be summed up easily in the over 40 set - mom jeans.  There is also an epidemic in Omaha.  Is it wrong to tell someone to stop looking very "Midwest"? It does appear Affliction has long since passed the late twenty something crowd here though.  Point awarded to Lincoln.  
• They really skimped on Von Maur here. One floor is not enough.  They should take a hint from JCrew in Omaha and just get rid of the Mens Dept.  
• I am better at cocktails than at contracting.  Housework is for the birds. 
• I gambled and waited to renew my plates in Lincoln.  I saved $95 and no ticket.  I win! 

Lincoln Bound

We have been in Lincoln for one month now.  Travel season is largely over now and we are in full house mode.  Moving is craptastic.  Seriously.  I am still living in my living room.  My dresser faces a window so my neighbors occasionally get a good peep show.  Good thing we are at the end of a dead end.  After our house was on the market for 3 months, threatening to sue our buyer and trying to take on an assessor, I was spent before we even moved.  Some of the things we learned about this beast of a house -

The previous owner was a hermit. The yard was so overgrown (and filled with termites) that we are going to have to kill it entirely and start over.  I am allergic to yard work so good luck to Greg.  Every wall in this house is white - with primer.  In the 40 years he lived here, apparently paint was a luxury.  In the first three weeks, we started taking on water in the basement due to a broken sewer line.  There goes a portion of my new kitchen, all in the name of being able to take a clean shower and flush the toilet. The upstairs bathroom flooded in the past leaking in to the downstairs bathroom and kitchen.  It's so fun to find mold behind drywall.

It's a draw for worst home project between removing popcorn ceilings and wallpaper.  The last house had several layers of wallpaper, this house has every room coated in popcorn ceilings.  Both warrant considerable satisfaction once removed.  Do I dare put trendy wallpaper up in the bathroom? It's borderline karma.

Pictures to come soon.  Once I move out of the living room and in to my real bedroom.