For Christmas Flynn and I were each given a companion coupon for Amtrak. So we used one coupon to take a weekend trip down to Eugene, Oregon.
After running a bunch of errands we got back to the apartment to start packing and get ready to go. The train was scheduled to leave at 2:20p and it was already 1p. I got our tickets out and discovered we only had our RETURN tickets! I called Amtrak and and was on the phone for 30min only to get no where. In the mean time Flynn and I packed and called a cab. I figured that if we went to the station we could beg our way on to the train even though it was sold out.
The cab came at 2p and by this time, I'm stressed to the max. I'm frustrated and tired and almost ready to throw in the towel. This was supposed to be a fun relaxing weekend away and so far it's been nothing but a headache! Oh! And while in the cab and double checking things on my iPhone I discovered that the B&B we had reservations at had a cat. Flynn is very allergic to cats and having one in the house would have made for a miserable weekend. So that just added to the stress.
We get to the train station at about 2:15p, but luckily there is no line at the ticket counter. The train is sold out but I told the guy, "I need to get on that train!" so we spoke with the conductor and got the OK to oversell the train. I get my ticket just in time only to realize the guy didn't give Flynn one! So after another minute we both have tickets and do our best speed walk to the train. As soon as we get on the train starts moving. Once we have our seats, I'm finally able to relax.
From there all we have left to do is decide what to do about the B&B/cat situation. I called the B&B and the owner said that because it's such short notice they have to charge us for that night, but if we wanted to find another place for Saturday night they would let us off the hook for that night. After hanging up I do some more searching on my iPhone and talk with Flynn. Then we decide that we are going to just have to eat the night at the cat B&B and get two nights at a new B&B. I call back the cat B&B and then book the new B&B. After the train tickets and now the B&B situation this trip is starting to cost a lot more than I had anticipated.
Now that the we have the B&B situation under control, I'm able to relax and enjoy the ride. I take a nap, play some games on my iPhone, chat with Flynn, and enjoy the view. It was a nice ride, but we were both happy to be off the train after the seven hour ride to Eugene. After walking off the train, I used the GPS on my phone to guide us the few short blocks to our B&B. As we walked up I immediately loved it! It was very cute and had lights all the way up the walk way. It was very inviting. When we got checked in the innkeeper upgraded us to a bigger room with a jacuzzi tub. Yay! After taking a minute to set down our bags we headed back a few blocks to the Steelhead brewery for dinner and drinks. I had a delicious orange wheat beer. Yum. Then we went back to the B&B to bed.
Saturday morning we got up at the crack of dawn... well not quite. The alarm went off at 9a and we went to breakfast at 9:30a. The B&B served delicious home made scones, frittatas, and fresh fruit. It was a great breakfast and I felt satisfied but not stuffed afterwards. After a long leisurely breakfast Flynn and I headed back to our room to get ready for the day. Since we didn't have a plan for the day we just decided to start walking and see where we ended up. We walked for a couple hours and along the way came across a local theater. They were putting on a production of The Producers that night so we bought tickets for dinner and the show later that night. We found a yummy Thai restaraunt for lunch then headed back to our room. The rain held off until we started our walk back then started to drizzle. By the time we got to our room it was full on raining. We took a nice nap then got ready for dinner and the show. The Producers is one of the first movies Flynn and I watched as a couple last year and we were both really excited to see Eugene's interpretation. We had a tasty dinner and good seats and the show was hilarious. It was a great night!
On Sunday morning we had to get up really early (7a) had another amazing breakfast. Then we hustled back to the room to back and get ready for the day. The train was pulling out at 9a and we didn't leave the room until 8:45a. I love trains because they don't have security checks. You can just walk right on, no wait. It's great! We got our seats and settled in to enjoy another relaxing train ride. I had thought we were going to get in to Seattle at 6p, but we actually got in at 4p which meant that we had a lot of day left! We vegged out at home, had some teriyaki, and had a nice relaxing evening.
Even though it started off really rocky we ended up having a wonderful weekend. Yay! In a couple weeks we are going to use the other Amtrak coupon and head north to Vancouver BC for another get away weekend. Fingers cross that one goes off without any hitches.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Housewarming Weekend
What happened to that weekend?! It was here and gone so quickly!
On Friday after an indoor track practice because of a crazy torrential downpour, I went home and chilled out in the apartment until Flynn got home from a meeting with Boss. We'd both had long tiring weeks, so we decided to have a quiet, relaxed Friday night at home. We ordered pizza in and watched Good Will Hunting. It was nice. So nice, in fact, that I feel asleep after only making it about half way through.
Saturday morning I went to the kickboxing and core conditioning classes at the athletic club. I love those classes. They really make my weekend. I always feel strong and fit after. Even if I'm huffing and puffing my way through it. After the gym I went to get my hair trimmed by a friend at the Gene Juarez Academy. She's graduating soon, which means I'm going to have to start paying real money to get my hair done! Later that afternoon Flynn and I went to the AT&T store and bought me an iPhone! I'm super excited about this one. I've been drooling over Flynn's since he got it several months ago. Now I'll be able to watch my calendar and know where I'm supposed to be on any given day without having to log online somewhere. Yay! After the phone adventure, we went to West Seattle to meet Allison and Scott for some bowling. We played a couple games and I must say, I'm horrible. It's been a couple years since I played and it shows. I'm just awful. Luckily, Allison and Scott aren't much better. After bowling was dinner and drinks then back home to bed. It's hard to imagine that I ever stayed out until 8a dancing and having fun till the wee hours. Now I'm home by 11p and feel beat.
Sunday was fun. After church I got some snacks then came home to help Flynn get ready for our housewarming open house. I had fun hanging out with family and friends. I like entertaining in our apartment and I think everyone had fun. It was a long day though. My dad showed up at 1p and Eli and Krysta came late so they stayed until 9:30p. I was ready for bed by the time it was bed time.
And now we're back to Monday again. I'm substitute teaching, coaching, training, kickboxing, and having Mexi-Heroes-Rockin' Monday as usual. It's going to be a long day. But I love it anyway!
On Friday after an indoor track practice because of a crazy torrential downpour, I went home and chilled out in the apartment until Flynn got home from a meeting with Boss. We'd both had long tiring weeks, so we decided to have a quiet, relaxed Friday night at home. We ordered pizza in and watched Good Will Hunting. It was nice. So nice, in fact, that I feel asleep after only making it about half way through.
Saturday morning I went to the kickboxing and core conditioning classes at the athletic club. I love those classes. They really make my weekend. I always feel strong and fit after. Even if I'm huffing and puffing my way through it. After the gym I went to get my hair trimmed by a friend at the Gene Juarez Academy. She's graduating soon, which means I'm going to have to start paying real money to get my hair done! Later that afternoon Flynn and I went to the AT&T store and bought me an iPhone! I'm super excited about this one. I've been drooling over Flynn's since he got it several months ago. Now I'll be able to watch my calendar and know where I'm supposed to be on any given day without having to log online somewhere. Yay! After the phone adventure, we went to West Seattle to meet Allison and Scott for some bowling. We played a couple games and I must say, I'm horrible. It's been a couple years since I played and it shows. I'm just awful. Luckily, Allison and Scott aren't much better. After bowling was dinner and drinks then back home to bed. It's hard to imagine that I ever stayed out until 8a dancing and having fun till the wee hours. Now I'm home by 11p and feel beat.
Sunday was fun. After church I got some snacks then came home to help Flynn get ready for our housewarming open house. I had fun hanging out with family and friends. I like entertaining in our apartment and I think everyone had fun. It was a long day though. My dad showed up at 1p and Eli and Krysta came late so they stayed until 9:30p. I was ready for bed by the time it was bed time.
And now we're back to Monday again. I'm substitute teaching, coaching, training, kickboxing, and having Mexi-Heroes-Rockin' Monday as usual. It's going to be a long day. But I love it anyway!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Happy March
I know I'm way past due... There have just been so many changes over the last few months that it gets overwhelming trying to think about updating everyone on everything. But I suppose if I don't start now, I'll never be able to. Also, I've had a few disgruntled fans tell me that I need to get back on here. So here I am.
At this very moment I'm substitute teaching at my old high school. I started subbing here when I got back to Seattle in September. I've subbed for PE/health, math, science, art, French, Spanish, religion, history, language arts, and probably some other classes. I like subbing. It pays the bills, but it isn't teaching. Sometimes it's teaching, but most of the time it's just classroom management aka babysitting. Teachers have assignments for the students to work on and I make sure the students work on their assignments. I get to give little to no instruction, which is the fun part about teaching. Even though subbing isn't my dream job, it does put me in a school environment and helps me keep connected so that hopefully as positions open up here I might be able to get a full time spot.
In addition to subbing, I'm also working as a personal trainer! That's pretty awesome. I started that back in January and so far I love it. I have about eight clients that I meet with weekly. We work in their homes and use only a few pieces of equipment. It's fun. It's like PE teaching, only my students really want me to be there! This is definitely a job that I would like to keep after I find a full time (or part time) teaching position. It'll really help me survive the summers.
And last, but not least, work-wise, I've just started coaching the pole vault at my old high school. I'm working with my old coach and so far it's a blast. We have a bunch of new vaulters trying it for the first time and a few who are coming back from last year. The season is just beginning, but so far so good. It feels good to be around the pole vault again. It's been nearly four years since I stopped vaulting! I've missed it. I get to do a little vaulting, too, but mostly it's neat to watch the girls go for awkward and scared to actually enjoying it!
What else is news... Flynn and I just got a great apartment together! We happily survived my time in Spain (aka our time apart) and haven't missed a beat since we got back from our August vacation. This weekend we are gearing up for our housewarming/open house party. I love our apartment. It's big enough, clean, in a great location, has a great view, quiet, sunny (when Seattle has sun), and it's ours! I'm super happy. We're pretty much all settled in, though there are a few areas that still need some major help. The office is still in boxes, but I'm getting a bookcase today so that should dramatically help that situation. Maybe I'll post a few pictures of the new pad at some point.
I found a great young church in Seattle and am really enjoying getting involved there. I've also joined a gym and discovered kickboxing. Kickboxing is awesome! It's such a great workout. And even though it leaves my knuckles bruised and discolored for the week it leaves me feel strong and powerful too.
All in all, life is pretty awesome. I'm going to try to post more often, but life gets in the way. I'll try though.
At this very moment I'm substitute teaching at my old high school. I started subbing here when I got back to Seattle in September. I've subbed for PE/health, math, science, art, French, Spanish, religion, history, language arts, and probably some other classes. I like subbing. It pays the bills, but it isn't teaching. Sometimes it's teaching, but most of the time it's just classroom management aka babysitting. Teachers have assignments for the students to work on and I make sure the students work on their assignments. I get to give little to no instruction, which is the fun part about teaching. Even though subbing isn't my dream job, it does put me in a school environment and helps me keep connected so that hopefully as positions open up here I might be able to get a full time spot.
In addition to subbing, I'm also working as a personal trainer! That's pretty awesome. I started that back in January and so far I love it. I have about eight clients that I meet with weekly. We work in their homes and use only a few pieces of equipment. It's fun. It's like PE teaching, only my students really want me to be there! This is definitely a job that I would like to keep after I find a full time (or part time) teaching position. It'll really help me survive the summers.
And last, but not least, work-wise, I've just started coaching the pole vault at my old high school. I'm working with my old coach and so far it's a blast. We have a bunch of new vaulters trying it for the first time and a few who are coming back from last year. The season is just beginning, but so far so good. It feels good to be around the pole vault again. It's been nearly four years since I stopped vaulting! I've missed it. I get to do a little vaulting, too, but mostly it's neat to watch the girls go for awkward and scared to actually enjoying it!
What else is news... Flynn and I just got a great apartment together! We happily survived my time in Spain (aka our time apart) and haven't missed a beat since we got back from our August vacation. This weekend we are gearing up for our housewarming/open house party. I love our apartment. It's big enough, clean, in a great location, has a great view, quiet, sunny (when Seattle has sun), and it's ours! I'm super happy. We're pretty much all settled in, though there are a few areas that still need some major help. The office is still in boxes, but I'm getting a bookcase today so that should dramatically help that situation. Maybe I'll post a few pictures of the new pad at some point.
I found a great young church in Seattle and am really enjoying getting involved there. I've also joined a gym and discovered kickboxing. Kickboxing is awesome! It's such a great workout. And even though it leaves my knuckles bruised and discolored for the week it leaves me feel strong and powerful too.
All in all, life is pretty awesome. I'm going to try to post more often, but life gets in the way. I'll try though.
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