Happy to report that Katie and I made it safe and sound to Cusco! We had a really really outrageously early flight this morning (5:45AM!) up to the beautiful mountian town. We´ve settled into our hostel and took a mid morning stroll through the food markets. I took quite a lot of pictures which I will post later. The food markets always are strange to me. Usually they have the standard fruits, veggies, rice, spices, etc all nicely stacked up in little disply pyramides. This food market was no different. Then you get to the meat section.... that part usually makes me squirmish. The smell alone starts to get to me after a while (and yes, I actually can smell something... I don´t know what it is but I don´t like it!!) At this particular market there were full chickens, feet and all along with guinea pigs, cuts of meat I couldn´t identify, and some animal heads. Neither of us were really sure if they were lame, llama, alpaca or what, but they were little animal heads just waiting to be bought. That was a bit excessive for me personally. I understand it is a cultural thing and it is great they are not wasting any part of the animal, I´m also glad that I have a choice in eating it.
Tomorrow Katie and I are heading to Aguas Calientes which begins our trip to Machu Picchu. The next few mornings are all going to be really early so we are already trying to sleep as much as possible. We need to get up at like 4AM to get to MP early enough to get tickets to the top of the mountain. This also requires us to hike a bit, about 1.5-2 hours up to the entrance to MP. This in inself is not an issue, however; at elevation we are a bit worried. We already feel a little drained and we´ve only been here for 4 hours!!
I´m not sure what the internet situation will be for the next few days so we maybe a bit out of communication for a while. If that is the case I didn´t want to forget to wish one amazing Lacy Morris a very Happy Birthday tomorrow!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Quick update on day 3
This is going to be really fast as the keyboard I am typing on gets really unhappy with the letter ´e´ and that is really annoying....
Katie bought an awesome hat at a craft fair!!
I then found the same hat in a museum.... Katie - the Incas want their hat back...
Katie accedentally bought Inca Kola again... she was devistated when the bottle came out.
Katie bought an awesome hat at a craft fair!!
I then found the same hat in a museum.... Katie - the Incas want their hat back...
Katie accedentally bought Inca Kola again... she was devistated when the bottle came out.We are off to Cuzco tomorrow to start our journey to Machu Picchu!! we both are very excited yet a bit nervous about the altitude sickness possibility. It is a good thing we can find coco tea up there :) don´t worry, it won´t make us high.... just not as sick according to the LP.
Sorry for the short post - this keyboard is going out a window soon!!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Day 2 in Lima
Here are some more photos! Sadly we will not be able to go paragliding as there is some issues with gliding off the cliffs in Lima. Details were few to come across, but we´ll look to do it somewhere else or maybe before we fly out on Friday next week.
At our little breakfast spot outside our hostel
Katie and I on the top of our tour bus about to head out around Lima
Some Inca Ruins of sort - we didn´t really understand what the guide was saying about them or why they are famous... but we felt cultured seeing them!!
Catholic church in downtown Lima. I learned that Peru is something lik 70% Catholic, which would explain the multitude of cathedrial style churches
A beautiful, semi-normal balcony view
Inka Kola - our story:
We read in the Lonely Planet (LP) that the resident favorite cola is Inka Kola, a bubble gum flavored nuclear yellow beverage. Clearly Katie and I had to try it... here is our experience.
The charming bottle - yellow as described
Now for the initial tasting...
Looking very anxious - the unknown is so thrilling!
Clearly not a favorite
Perhaps it is an aquired taste....
We will not be trying this again. However, I do believe we will be consuming copious amounts of churros filled with dulce de leche, a street food treat we tried today as well. YUMMMM
Here are a few photos from our first day´s adventures!!! As promised - MONKEY BAR PICS!!
Look at me rock those monkey bars
Katie struggled a bit more....
Parallel bars!! Look for me at the 2012 Olympics!
Katie in the fountain - this was probably our fav.
Yay for the arch fountain!
In front of our other fav - the pyrimad fountain!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Next Adventure begins! - PERU!
Katie and I are on our third grand adventure together! We landed safely in Lima, Peru very, very early this morning coming straight from JFK in NYC. We had enough forethought to plan where we wanted to stay and arranged a taxi to be waiting for us - it worked wonderfully!
We are staying at a very cute hostel called Flying Dog. The basic agenda is:
Thursday 5/27 - Sunday 5/29 in Lima
Flying to Cusco at the crack of dawn on Monday 5/30 - day in Cusco
Tuesday 5/31 - train to Aguas Calientes and the base of Macchu Pichu
Wednesday 6/1 - up super early to hike to Macchu Pichu and explore (7pm train to Cusco)
Tuesday 6/2-6/4 - Cusco exploring everywhere
Friday 6/4 - fly to Lima, few hours in Lima, Fly to JFK for an 8:45 AM arrival on 6/5.
I personally am hoping to enjoy a lot of ceviche and Katie is all about trying the guinea pig. We both want to go paragliding and are pretty excited for the water fountain gardens as well.
So far , all is well. Pictures to come soon! I can´t let you all miss out on Katie and I tackeling the Monkey Bars!!!
We are staying at a very cute hostel called Flying Dog. The basic agenda is:
Thursday 5/27 - Sunday 5/29 in Lima
Flying to Cusco at the crack of dawn on Monday 5/30 - day in Cusco
Tuesday 5/31 - train to Aguas Calientes and the base of Macchu Pichu
Wednesday 6/1 - up super early to hike to Macchu Pichu and explore (7pm train to Cusco)
Tuesday 6/2-6/4 - Cusco exploring everywhere
Friday 6/4 - fly to Lima, few hours in Lima, Fly to JFK for an 8:45 AM arrival on 6/5.
I personally am hoping to enjoy a lot of ceviche and Katie is all about trying the guinea pig. We both want to go paragliding and are pretty excited for the water fountain gardens as well.
So far , all is well. Pictures to come soon! I can´t let you all miss out on Katie and I tackeling the Monkey Bars!!!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Life is better Shared
Is it harder to not have someone or not to be with the person you have? This Sunday was Valentine's Day. I am a full supporter of any holiday which encourages copious chocolate consumption and hand holding. Hands down, I love Valentine's Day. A day to celebrate love and commitment or just spontaneous good fun is totally okay by me! However, it did get me thinking about which is harder - not having someone (as has been my trend for the last three years) or not getting to be with the one you have... which I sort of experienced in high school. What I've decided is that neither is easy and both have their own unique set backs so it's a bit unfair to compare them.
That being said - I think I would still select not being with the person I have over not having someone to be with. I'm of the opinion that having someone is better than not having someone. What I have found is that I do better in life when that part of my life works also. Life is better shared. Life is better when you get to bare witness to another person's life and they get to bare witness to yours.
When I signed up to be in the supply chain program with Unilever I knew I was signing up for many years of moving and traveling. At the time it was a dream come true - an opportunity to travel, explore different parts of the globe all while getting to work with a great company. What i didn't realize was just how lonely it could be moving all the time. I mean this both from a relationship and friendship point of view. Finding friends is hard, finding a relationship is hard - it's just hard.
I've never been the crazy dating type. Sure I've had a few boyfriends, a few more first dates, but really summed up - I never really was chased or courted significantly. Now that I know I am moving along again in a few months, I've lost a lot of motivation to look for something more. Which is odd - every time I move I almost feel like if I don't find someone in the first few months, I've lost my window of opportunity. So I don't even like to make myself available, and I can't realistically complain about not being courted if I'm not letting myself be open to it.
So as I start preparing for the next stage in my journey with the big blue U and my next adventure in life, I can only hope that next year I'll at least have someone I will be wishing I was with, if I'm not lucky enough to be with them. Next Valentine's Day maybe I will get to share my chocolate and have a hand to hold. If not, well I've managed this long.
Lonely is becoming comfortable.
That being said - I think I would still select not being with the person I have over not having someone to be with. I'm of the opinion that having someone is better than not having someone. What I have found is that I do better in life when that part of my life works also. Life is better shared. Life is better when you get to bare witness to another person's life and they get to bare witness to yours.
When I signed up to be in the supply chain program with Unilever I knew I was signing up for many years of moving and traveling. At the time it was a dream come true - an opportunity to travel, explore different parts of the globe all while getting to work with a great company. What i didn't realize was just how lonely it could be moving all the time. I mean this both from a relationship and friendship point of view. Finding friends is hard, finding a relationship is hard - it's just hard.
I've never been the crazy dating type. Sure I've had a few boyfriends, a few more first dates, but really summed up - I never really was chased or courted significantly. Now that I know I am moving along again in a few months, I've lost a lot of motivation to look for something more. Which is odd - every time I move I almost feel like if I don't find someone in the first few months, I've lost my window of opportunity. So I don't even like to make myself available, and I can't realistically complain about not being courted if I'm not letting myself be open to it.
So as I start preparing for the next stage in my journey with the big blue U and my next adventure in life, I can only hope that next year I'll at least have someone I will be wishing I was with, if I'm not lucky enough to be with them. Next Valentine's Day maybe I will get to share my chocolate and have a hand to hold. If not, well I've managed this long.
Lonely is becoming comfortable.
Monday, January 04, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions, but I figured what is the harm in making a commitment to yourself to do something to make your life better? The typical resolution seems to fall around fitness and overall health which are of course great goals to strive for but they seem unoriginal and mundane. Then I read one of my sorority sister's resolutions which I thought were just awesome and they got me thinking about what mine could be.
Her list is:
1. I will value my body, and I will not disparage it. I also will not disparage others' bodies.
2. I will work toward overall health.
3. I will laugh at every opportunity.
4. I will always search for the sunny side of life.
5. I will contribute to my community.
6. I will dedicate myself to being more loving, and to being more open to love.
7. I will continue to seek spiritual enlightenment.
and finally ...
8. I will attempt to improve my extremely deplorable Spanish language skills."
To one fabulous Kathryn Bennett, I give you a huge thank you for the realignment of priorities on how life should really be lived. There is no magic weight number or pant size that needs to be fit into, no real metric for what qualifies for a good ambition or admirable aim.
I am not so insightful as my Great Grand Big sis, but I came up with these three as good starting points of things I want to accomplish this year.
1a. To complete a century (100 mile) bike ride, and to spend more time on my bike in general
1b. Learn more bike maintenance
2. Travel south of the equator (Peru!)
3. Improve my extremely deplorable Spanish language skills (thank you Kathryn, and Peru anyone??)
They lack the zen like qualities of Kathryn, but I think they follow the SMART methodology of goal setting and they are things that I actually believe I WANT to do. I fully believe this dramatically increases my chances of success.
I hope everyone has a very wonderful new year - resolution fulfillment and all - and 2010 brings joy, happiness, prosperity, and love to you all.
Oh - and maybe another mini resolution should be to blog more often... we'll see about that one!!
Her list is:
1. I will value my body, and I will not disparage it. I also will not disparage others' bodies.
2. I will work toward overall health.
3. I will laugh at every opportunity.
4. I will always search for the sunny side of life.
5. I will contribute to my community.
6. I will dedicate myself to being more loving, and to being more open to love.
7. I will continue to seek spiritual enlightenment.
and finally ...
8. I will attempt to improve my extremely deplorable Spanish language skills."
To one fabulous Kathryn Bennett, I give you a huge thank you for the realignment of priorities on how life should really be lived. There is no magic weight number or pant size that needs to be fit into, no real metric for what qualifies for a good ambition or admirable aim.
I am not so insightful as my Great Grand Big sis, but I came up with these three as good starting points of things I want to accomplish this year.
1a. To complete a century (100 mile) bike ride, and to spend more time on my bike in general
1b. Learn more bike maintenance
2. Travel south of the equator (Peru!)
3. Improve my extremely deplorable Spanish language skills (thank you Kathryn, and Peru anyone??)
They lack the zen like qualities of Kathryn, but I think they follow the SMART methodology of goal setting and they are things that I actually believe I WANT to do. I fully believe this dramatically increases my chances of success.
I hope everyone has a very wonderful new year - resolution fulfillment and all - and 2010 brings joy, happiness, prosperity, and love to you all.
Oh - and maybe another mini resolution should be to blog more often... we'll see about that one!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Puerto Rico!!!
Okay, okay! I've been terrible about getting things posted in a timely manner. For that I am sorry, but I hope the plethora of pictures make up for the multiple week delay!
A few weeks back, a friend of mine, Mandy, from work and I went to Puerto Rico on a spontaneous decision. It turned out to be a marvelous time to be down there and a wonderful vacation from the chaos of corporate life. I already miss Puerto Rico and would go back in an instant. There are actually a lot of fun things to do while there which sort of surprised me. I incorrectly assumed that all the island would have to offer would be beaches and sun - which it did have and I did enjoy, but it also had a lot more to do and see. Enough so that it probably warrants another long weekend trip back.
The only activity Mandy and I couldn't' get pictures of was the bio-luminescent bay kayak tour we took. It was the great trip in two person kayaks out to a large bay with a high concentration of microorganisms which emit phosphorescence when agitated. Basically we were the fairies from the movie Fantasia, everything we touch would glow temporarily as our oars, boat or hands dipped into the water. It was really magical and beautiful. The kayak ride was also highly entertaining! Mandy and I both rowed in college so we had fun just being back in a boat and the water.
The rest of the trip we captured in pictures - enjoy!!
Mandy in front of our catamaran for our snorkeling tour - this is the Spread Eagle and it was a great time!
Mandy is all set to go snorkeling!! And she is so excited!
The view from our hotel room. Floor to ceiling windows on the beach... we were a bit spoiled...
Typical Puerto Rico water. We snorkeled here and the reefs were pretty nice.
Mandy and I on the Spread Eagle as we move snorkeling sites.
Soaking up some sun!
This was our cultural outing for the trip, a visit to Old San Juan!
Trying to look pretty in the infinity pool at the hotel. It was really quite wonderful.
JUMPING! We did this multiple times until we got a shot we actually liked. Can you see the tan lines/burns we got on our first day out in the sun?
Isn't this the life? Sipping sangria, poolside in Puerto Rico... geeze we are good to ourselves!
A few weeks back, a friend of mine, Mandy, from work and I went to Puerto Rico on a spontaneous decision. It turned out to be a marvelous time to be down there and a wonderful vacation from the chaos of corporate life. I already miss Puerto Rico and would go back in an instant. There are actually a lot of fun things to do while there which sort of surprised me. I incorrectly assumed that all the island would have to offer would be beaches and sun - which it did have and I did enjoy, but it also had a lot more to do and see. Enough so that it probably warrants another long weekend trip back.
The only activity Mandy and I couldn't' get pictures of was the bio-luminescent bay kayak tour we took. It was the great trip in two person kayaks out to a large bay with a high concentration of microorganisms which emit phosphorescence when agitated. Basically we were the fairies from the movie Fantasia, everything we touch would glow temporarily as our oars, boat or hands dipped into the water. It was really magical and beautiful. The kayak ride was also highly entertaining! Mandy and I both rowed in college so we had fun just being back in a boat and the water.
The rest of the trip we captured in pictures - enjoy!!
Mandy in front of our catamaran for our snorkeling tour - this is the Spread Eagle and it was a great time!
Mandy is all set to go snorkeling!! And she is so excited!
The view from our hotel room. Floor to ceiling windows on the beach... we were a bit spoiled...
Typical Puerto Rico water. We snorkeled here and the reefs were pretty nice.
Mandy and I on the Spread Eagle as we move snorkeling sites.
Soaking up some sun!
This was our cultural outing for the trip, a visit to Old San Juan!
Trying to look pretty in the infinity pool at the hotel. It was really quite wonderful.
JUMPING! We did this multiple times until we got a shot we actually liked. Can you see the tan lines/burns we got on our first day out in the sun?
Isn't this the life? Sipping sangria, poolside in Puerto Rico... geeze we are good to ourselves!So who wants to go back with me?!?! There is still the rain forest and horseback riding to cover, plus a tour of the Bacardi factory, and at least two other bio bays to explore!!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
An attempt at mobile uploads
So I just got a blackberry phone with all types of crazy
stuff on it. So far I am liking it, but it is taking some getting use to. I wonder if I will be better about updating this now that I. Can access it from anywhere. We shall see I guess. This was just a test post. A bit hard to do but maybe there is a way to make it simpler. I will have to dig a bit.
stuff on it. So far I am liking it, but it is taking some getting use to. I wonder if I will be better about updating this now that I. Can access it from anywhere. We shall see I guess. This was just a test post. A bit hard to do but maybe there is a way to make it simpler. I will have to dig a bit.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hello NYC!
I've made the transition to the big apple! I'm living in NYC now starting my second year long stint with Unilever. I'm really excited to be having another great adventure in another great mega city. I already miss Chicago, my wonderful friends there, the feelings of familiarity, and the subtle smell of soap that seemed to cover everything I owned... But as with most of my posts, pictures do better than words - Enjoy!!
NYC is home now - and home is wherever this little sign hangs :)
NYC is home now - and home is wherever this little sign hangs :)
Lacy (my new roommate!) and I at our friend's going away party.
View from my bedroom at sunset. We live on the 20th floor (yay us!)
Our 'snug' living space. The apartment is comfortably sized but snug is a good word for it.
The view from my window with more daylight
My bedroom! Mom, see how the bed is made? Aren't you proud!?Last weekend I went to CT to visit Katie. It is always a wonderful time to be with her but this weekend was extra awesome because we played MUD VOLLEYBALL! Her and some friends from her work signed up for this event along with ~150 other teams. It was crazy how many muddy people there were running around. A total of 24 courts were used, and it was so much fun!!
All the courts, see how much mud?!
Cleaning myself off in the fire hose (note the awesome pink shorts)
The best team ever! (ok maybe not... but we had a blast anyway!)*note the duct tape on our shoes, if you didn't duck tape them, they would be stuck in the mud forever - possibly*
PEACE NOW!! Not later, NOW!*all items in this photograph were purchased for the sole purpose of mud volleyball, the only surviving article of clothing were the hot pink shorts - thank goodness!*
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My time in Chicago is almost finished. I still have a small list of things I want to do before I leave and I will try my best to do them this weekend before I go. They are:
The big move will happen over the course of several days. First is the packing up of everything here in Chicago. This is happening this Friday. Then there is the actual moving of myself from Chicago, this will happen the following Wednesday. Lastly there is the unloading of all my stuff in NYC, scheduled for the Monday after next. So I'll be in transit for about 10 days. My car is getting picked up on Wednesday as well and being sent back to CO to hang with my mom and brother.
I'm anxious - oddly anxious for all of this. I was sitting at work this week and I felt like my body was shaking. It wasn't, my hands were steady as usual but I had the sensations of shaking. I can only assume it was adrenaline or something as I get myself a bit worked up over this change. I love change, but it still is scary and stressful. For the last two nights I've not been sleeping well either. I'm sleeping (not total insomnia or anything) but I just feel restless. I think being in limbo for so long is what is the most uncomfortable part of this situation.
Anyway - here are a few photos from the Pride Parade here in Chicago - I really didn't take many but it was a lot of fun and I was so happy to take part!
- Visit the Baha'i Temple in Evansville - there is only one on each continent and I've seen the one in India so I'd like to see the one here
- Take an architecture tour of Chicago. I've heard many very good reviews of the boat tour
- Go swimming in Lake Michigan. Chicago is a bit odd in that right in downtown, you will find a beach to go swimming at, I can't miss that!
The big move will happen over the course of several days. First is the packing up of everything here in Chicago. This is happening this Friday. Then there is the actual moving of myself from Chicago, this will happen the following Wednesday. Lastly there is the unloading of all my stuff in NYC, scheduled for the Monday after next. So I'll be in transit for about 10 days. My car is getting picked up on Wednesday as well and being sent back to CO to hang with my mom and brother.
I'm anxious - oddly anxious for all of this. I was sitting at work this week and I felt like my body was shaking. It wasn't, my hands were steady as usual but I had the sensations of shaking. I can only assume it was adrenaline or something as I get myself a bit worked up over this change. I love change, but it still is scary and stressful. For the last two nights I've not been sleeping well either. I'm sleeping (not total insomnia or anything) but I just feel restless. I think being in limbo for so long is what is the most uncomfortable part of this situation.
Anyway - here are a few photos from the Pride Parade here in Chicago - I really didn't take many but it was a lot of fun and I was so happy to take part!
Mark, Me, Ayo - rockin' the Pride Parade!
American Flag - freakin' huge American Flag
Rainbow Flags - PRIDE!!!Saturday, June 27, 2009
Laughter! xkcd.com is hilarious :)
Here are a few of my favs, but the entire site is pretty funny www.xkcd.com
I laughed for quite a while at this one
I laughed for quite a while at this oneSaturday, March 07, 2009
My 100th Post!!
Wow, 100 posts... 100 stories about my life, updates on activities, travels, friends, pictures of my world. I feel as though I should commemorate this moment some how. I need to make this post extra special or super funny or downright simple.... I think I'll go with a bit cliche, and give you 100 things about me, maybe you know, maybe you don't, but 100 truths about Allison. Scary.
- I'm exactly 6 feet tall.
- I have true blue eyes, meaning I have zero pigment in my iris
- Colorado will probably always feel like home
- My brother has always been one of my favorite people
- I've eaten cactus
- I regret not taking Spanish in college
- I have a "don't kiss down" policy
- Living internationally is a life goal of mine
- Speaking a second language fluently is another life goal
- Meyers - Briggs labels me an ENFJ personality
- I currently make soap - in volumes that will blow your mind
- I'm an imperfect vegetarian
- Both the ocean and the mountains remind me of childhood
- My favorite color is blue
- Sushi is one of my favorite foods
- My biggest fear is not finding the person I want to spend the rest of my life with
- A bigger fear is finding that person and not fighting to keep them in my life
- I own a guitar
- I lived in Mumbai, India for 6 months
- I'm an Alpha Xi Delta
- I can touch my nose with my tongue
- I love being barefoot
- A pet peeve of mine are when people use "funner" and "funnest" as if they are words - they aren't.
- I've seen a taping of Oprah. Kate Winslet was the guest.
- Grammar and I never get along
- I always wanted a fun nickname but never got one
- I used to volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in their Space Odyssey exhibit.
- I miss the late nights studying with my fellow ChemEs at Purdue
- I do not eat blue M&Ms if I can help it
- NPR has become my primary news source
- I've not eaten a hotdog since I was about 5
- I imagine all always be a big city girl
- I dream of owning a vacation home in the tropics
- If I could backpack the globe for the rest of my life, I would.
- I find Dane Cook hilarious
- My parents are divorced
- I love to cuddle and adore being the little spoon
- I lived for a summer with my grandparents on Long Island
- I lost my backpack at the Trevi Fountain in Rome
- The Clarks are my favorite band
- I do not know how to cook, yet I manage to feed myself
- I had a guinea pig as a pet growing up
- My inseam is 35-36" and pants are hard to find in this length
- I never thought I'd work in a factory, yet I do.
- Anything with chocolate in it is okay by me
- I consider myself intelligent yet feel it hinders my happiness at times
- I know all 50 states in alphabetical order
- I have a strategically placed tattoo
- I never want to grow up, I acknowledge that growing old is mandatory, unfortunately
- My lucky number is 23
- Quintessence and Elysium are two of my favorite words
- I've been in love
- As with most females, I love romantic comedies
- Black licorice and cinnamon are the best flavors of Jelly Beans
- Dark chocolate > milk chocolate > white chocolate, I don't even eat white chocolate, it is just gross I think
- I wish I stuck with a sport or instrument growing up
- Brushing my teeth makes me strangely happy
- I live in Chicago for the moment but will be moving to the east coast soon
- Solving challenging problems in college was such a thrill
- I was an resident assistant my senior year of college - I would do it again
- I wish I had a cool hobby that could fill my evenings and weekends
- I do not own a television
- I don't understand men (or boys...)
- I like some country music and I don't mind admitting it
- I consider myself a 21st century woman
- I find body language fascinating
- I tend to cry when I laugh
- I blush very easily
- My shoe size is 10
- I had a leather jacket custom made in Fez, Morocco
- It is never too cold for ice cream
- I have four cousins - in total
- I was a Model UN junkie in high school and I still love international relations
- I knew Obama was going to be president in 2004
- I support gay marriage
- I was never baptized
- I got a ticket for running a stop sign - I still disagree with the officer on this
- I can speak Pig Latin but I don't understand it very well
- I want to have a destination wedding
- I own more pairs of underwear than socks
- My contact prescription is -7.0 in both eyes
- Ganesh is my favorite Hindu god
- I own two travel backpacks I love them both
- The Peace Corps still seems like a realistic lifetime employer at times
- Holi is by far my favorite holiday and I wish a thousand times over I was back in IIT to celebrate it
- I drive a Suzuki Vitera
- I used to row and think it is an amazing sport
- E.T. scared the bajeezus out of me when I was little
- I've never done drugs, I guess I avoided the 'experimental' stage in life
- I don't think I am beautiful yet I do believe I have some attractive features
- I get motion sick sometimes
- I never met my paternal grandfather
- I locked myself in the bathroom when I was little threatening not to come out until I had a puppy. I never got a puppy.
- I am incredibly risk adverse
- My first kiss was at 15
- I am an organ donor
- I prefer Coke to Pepsi, yet diet Pepsi over diet Coke
- I always thought collecting Monopoly boards would be fun but don't really know what one would do with dozens of the same game
- I cannot spell worth a damn - spell check saves my reputation daily
- I'm faking it until I make it.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Las Vegas!!
I spent a nice long weekend in Las Vegas with some college friends this past weekend. It was a wonderful escape from the cold and life in Chicago (although I was hoping for 95 and sunny and I got 50 and slightly overcast - it wasn't freezing!!) As with most of my posts, I'll let my photos do the talking and hopefully I'll have more to add as we swap pictures from the trip.
Quick background:
8 people
On to the pictures!!!
Katie and I all dolled up for the Cirque de Soleil show !!
She really needs to learn to cover up...
*Katie and Jesii = country estates*
*Mel and Molly = stunning city lofts*
*Allison = double wide trailer*
*sigh*
The worlds only curved escalators are in The Forum Mall in Ceasar's Palace. Needless to say, us engineers were thoroughly entertained :)
See how entertained, we are still riding!
Oh yes, still on the curved escalator
You guessed it! Curved escalator again!
You can't visit Venice without trying some gelato!! The Venetian had a bountiful selection for our choosing pleasure.
Ah! The beautiful city scape in recreated Venice in the middle of the Vegas strip.
Katie and Jesii are practicing for their audition with the Blue Man group... the Man part may pose a problem during their interview...
I just want to play the drums and Dan has a weird thing with blue bald men...
Kisses for Humpty! It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Quick background:
8 people
- Allison (that's me)
- Katie (that's the same Katie who went to Honduras and Morocco with me and is the definition of fun)
- Dan Fix (He was a Purdue Cheerleader and supremely fun)
- Molly Fu (Friend through Katie who is also supremely fun)
- Mel Kemerling (Friend through Katie and yup - also supremely fun)
- Matt and Jesii Fox (Friends of Katie, newly weds - live in Houston, Matt works for NASA... and of course, supremely fun)
- Mike (Friend of Mel's who enjoys gambling and the only non-Purdue Grad, so we'll go with moderate amounts of fun)
On to the pictures!!!
Katie and I all dolled up for the Cirque de Soleil show !!
She really needs to learn to cover up...*Katie and Jesii = country estates*
*Mel and Molly = stunning city lofts*
*Allison = double wide trailer*
*sigh*
The worlds only curved escalators are in The Forum Mall in Ceasar's Palace. Needless to say, us engineers were thoroughly entertained :)
See how entertained, we are still riding!
Oh yes, still on the curved escalator
You guessed it! Curved escalator again!
You can't visit Venice without trying some gelato!! The Venetian had a bountiful selection for our choosing pleasure.
Ah! The beautiful city scape in recreated Venice in the middle of the Vegas strip.
Katie and Jesii are practicing for their audition with the Blue Man group... the Man part may pose a problem during their interview...
I just want to play the drums and Dan has a weird thing with blue bald men...
Kisses for Humpty! It seemed like a good idea at the time.And as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas." You all can deduce the rest :-)
*oh yea - I lost $15 to the gambling gods.... Thank goodness others took home over $100, wouldn't want Vegas wiping us all out!!
*oh yea - I lost $15 to the gambling gods.... Thank goodness others took home over $100, wouldn't want Vegas wiping us all out!!