East River Esplanade
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Operation Tan and Tone
After reviewing pictures of my Cali trip, I realized how pale and sickly I looked. Going from daily workouts at Lee's Fitness in Redondo Beach and running errands in the California sun to an indoor office job and sporadic runs in Central Park, my physical appearance had taken a turn for the worst! Operation Tan and Tone commence! I decided to step up my runs and take it to the East River. Providing a more versatile terrain and the opportunity to catch some rays, the East River Esplanade is my new spot:) I also decided to hit the beach. My friend Michelle offered to escort me to Coney Island- the only free beach around. The train ride alone was like a live Jerry Springer show providing comical and at times scary entertainment. Alas, we arrived at Coney Island- a run down, dirty, ghetto version of Venice Beach with a side of Circus Circus meets County Fair. I'm not sure what made me laugh more- the shady people selling Corona out of a purse or the ice cream truck playing Christmas carols. Nevertheless, I finally got a tan!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My Dad? You Mean My Bag?
An all-inclusive trip to Cabo for five days of sun, sand, and margaritas.... I'll take it! Oh, wait, that is the trip my sister and brother in law are going on so in turn I get to fly to LA and stay with their girls... I'll take it;)
Thanks to the Gods of New York for summer hours, we end our work week at 2:00pm every Friday. A 50 block power walk, an hour train ride, and a six hour in flight nap later, I arrived at LAX. I would need the fingers and toes of at least two other people to count how many times I have flown into this airport. This was by far the most humorous of arrivals. As soon as the pilot gave us permission to use electronic devices, I messaged my Mom, who was picking me up, to let her know we had landed. She responded and told me to look for my Dad. "My Dad, do you mean my bag?" Since I had not checked any luggage I bypassed baggage claim and made my way outside to find my Mom, sister, and two of her kids. They told me to go back inside and find my Dad, who had driven in from Vegas as a surprise. So exciting! Once we all collided and drove back to the South Bay we made a quick stop at In n Out for some dinner. Sitting at my sister's house with her husband, her eldest child, and both my Mom and Dad at 2am eating, talking, and laughing was one of those moments that just make you feel like all is right in the world. No matter how far I go, or how much I grow, life is always better when we're together.
This week was filled to the brim with Auntie duties. A midst packing lunches, school drop off, school pick up, doctors appointments for my oldest niece that was sick, lugging around my youngest niece that just didn't want to go to school, and trying to figure out crazy hair day vs. crazy sock day, I was also in town for graduation ceremonies of high school, elementary school, and kinder-garden. Needless to say, a hectic and worth every second of it, family filled week:)
Although it was only for a few hours, I always have fun and cherish every minute I spend with my friends in the South Bay. I busted away from the family on Friday night and made my way to the Bay House with Jules. Luckily some of my very special friends were there and joined us for some cocktails when they got off work. You know you really love people when you can go three months without seeing each other then hang out for a few hours like not a day has gone by. I am so lucky to have them in my heart and my life. Sadly, there were many friends that I was not able to see on this trip. It just went too fast! (Deja, I dedicate a full day on my next trip to you;)
Thanks to the Gods of New York for summer hours, we end our work week at 2:00pm every Friday. A 50 block power walk, an hour train ride, and a six hour in flight nap later, I arrived at LAX. I would need the fingers and toes of at least two other people to count how many times I have flown into this airport. This was by far the most humorous of arrivals. As soon as the pilot gave us permission to use electronic devices, I messaged my Mom, who was picking me up, to let her know we had landed. She responded and told me to look for my Dad. "My Dad, do you mean my bag?" Since I had not checked any luggage I bypassed baggage claim and made my way outside to find my Mom, sister, and two of her kids. They told me to go back inside and find my Dad, who had driven in from Vegas as a surprise. So exciting! Once we all collided and drove back to the South Bay we made a quick stop at In n Out for some dinner. Sitting at my sister's house with her husband, her eldest child, and both my Mom and Dad at 2am eating, talking, and laughing was one of those moments that just make you feel like all is right in the world. No matter how far I go, or how much I grow, life is always better when we're together.
This week was filled to the brim with Auntie duties. A midst packing lunches, school drop off, school pick up, doctors appointments for my oldest niece that was sick, lugging around my youngest niece that just didn't want to go to school, and trying to figure out crazy hair day vs. crazy sock day, I was also in town for graduation ceremonies of high school, elementary school, and kinder-garden. Needless to say, a hectic and worth every second of it, family filled week:)
My Amanda Panda was sick and couldn't go to school. My SareBear had a serious case of 'I want to stay home with Auntie' to which I of course was a complete sucker for!
Although it was only for a few hours, I always have fun and cherish every minute I spend with my friends in the South Bay. I busted away from the family on Friday night and made my way to the Bay House with Jules. Luckily some of my very special friends were there and joined us for some cocktails when they got off work. You know you really love people when you can go three months without seeing each other then hang out for a few hours like not a day has gone by. I am so lucky to have them in my heart and my life. Sadly, there were many friends that I was not able to see on this trip. It just went too fast! (Deja, I dedicate a full day on my next trip to you;)
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