It started at 4am!! Yes, I know, that’s super early. Our flight from DCA was at 6 am and I wanted to make sure we had enough time since it was our first time traveling. Lindsey dropped us and on our adventure started. Funny thing was that the security gate still hadn’t opened so we had to wait a bit. But Bailey was cool as a cucumber.

Okay. She was really hating the carrier. But our first flight was from DCA to Atlanta. It being such an early flight was I was beat so I feel asleep fast. But little to my knowledge I had left a little opening in Bailey’s carrier because I hadn’t zipped it all the way closed and she got out!!! Thankfully I woke up just in time because she had just gotten up. I wrangled her up and stuffed my poor little girl in her carrier. Needless to say, she tried to scratch her way out but to no avail since I made sure I zipped up the carrier.

And then we made it to Atlanta!! Home of Chick-Fil-A and Diet Coke. I had a two-hour layover which worked out great because it was plenty of time to (1) take Bailey to the airport dog park, (2) come back to my gate and (3) get some food!! After what felt like hours of walking, I’m sure it was more like 10 minutes, Bailey and I made it the dig park.

The dog park was a great size and little Bailey got to walk around for a while.  Unfortunately for Bailey, I forgot her collar so she couldn’t walk in the terminal.  (I left it on her retractable leash that was left at home.) But she was able to sit in her carrier with her head out of the top which she really seemed to enjoy. 

And off we go on our next flight from ALT to our final destination of SAT.  One of the stewardesses saw me board the plane with Bailey and immediately started talking to me.  She said that she didn’t have a problem if I took her out of her carrier during the flight.  I sat next to a young couple with their baby girl who loved animals so they didn’t mind either.  So into our 2 hour flight, I took Bailey out for a bit and she sat on my lap.  She really liked being out and enjoyed the view.

But sadly after a while of this, we began our decent and Bailey had to go back into her carrier.  She wasn’t too happy about it.  A short 40 minutes later we were in San Antonio and waiting for her Uncle Emilio to pick us up from the airport.

Bailey had a great time in San Antonio playing with Ita, her grandma, and her cousin Nyk.  She got to run around, without a leash and bark without being shhhh’ed.  She also had a few adventures escaping from our yard and played in the back of Nyk’s power wheels truck.  She also gained a bit of weight but who doesn’t over the holidays.  I know I did. 

It was sad to leave but I think Bailey was ready for it after 9 whole days of constant play.  She, once again, tried to escape on the plane but she didn’t.  And she did try to scratch her way out too.  I was also smart and bought her a new collar so she could walk around in the terminal.

Once we got home,  she jumped on the couch and fell asleep for an eternity in dog years.  I’m sure it was more like a week in dog years.  It’s been 3 days since we’ve been back and after our trip to San Antonio and to the office, she is ready for a few days of quiet relaxation on the couch.  Oh to be a dog, what a life!!

Countdown #2-3 days and it will be 2 years since my dad passed away.  I know this isn’t a happy countdown but none the less December 22nd is a day that will have a significance for the rest of my life, whether I want it to or not.  I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already.  So much has changed since then and I only think that, no matter what my choices have been these last 2 years,  I feel his guidance and love in my heart everyday and that he would be proud of me. 

Countdown #3-5 days from now I will be in the great state of Texas for a 9 day trip for the Holidays.  It’s a bit bittersweet of course since this time bring up a lot of emotions but I’m happy to spend some much-needed time with my mom.  But the best part is that little Bailey will be traveling with me!!  I got her a very cute carrier that she, of course, hates.  My trip will include several food comas, wonderful visits with friends, a play with my amazing mother, running around with my nephew Nyk, and maybe even some shenanigans.

Countdown #4-13 days until the end of 2011!!  Like I’ve said before, this was a tough year, for just about everyone I know.  But though its been a roller coaster, I can’t believe it’s coming to an end.  I feel like it went by so fast and that in another blink of an eye, another chapter ends.  So here’s to 2012 being a better one!!

Countdown #5-39 days until I’ll be in sunny Miami with Ms. Ashley for her birthday.  Now this, is the vacation I’m really looking forward to.  New city, old friend, and fun times are just around the bend.  Hurry up and get here January!!!

Countdown #6-XX days until I get a new job.  Haha, so this one is a bit unknown.  I know that in the next few months, I’ll be putting the job search into full force hoping I find something I (a) would like to do, (b) have room to grow in, and (c) in DC or the surrounding area.

I love countdowns.  They keep you focused and looking ahead on what’s on the horizon, and obviously, I have quite a few things.

But in the end, personally, this year was a whirlwind.  There has been a lot of ups and down in the road from breakups to vacations to fights with family to getting back in the dating game to finding out that my boss is retiring from his tenure in Congress and I will be out of a job in less than 12 months.  Whirlwind, seriously.  (I actually have a few other choice words for this year but will save that for myself.)

At the end of the year, we have a tendency of assessing our lives and the decisions we’ve made over the last year.  We come to terms with some, vow to never do other, and continue to make the ones that make us happy, whatever they may be.  We become closer with people who were only strangers or unknowns a year ago and fall apart from people who thought would always be there for us.  We live, learn, laugh, and love.

I don’t like to be one of those people who thinks that just because it’s the start of a new year, month, week, day, etc, that it’s going to different.  But I think that with the start of a new year, month, week, day, etc, hope for the start of a new job, love, friend, hobby, etc, resonates in people.  New brings new ambition, dreams, and goals.  It brings out optimism in all of us.  It makes us hope for something better and the idea of humanity.

So with this new year I’ve made a few promises, not resolutions…

I promise to do something I love at least once a week, whether that be cooking or baking or going for a long run.

I promise to make a better effort about keeping in touch with my friends that do not live close by.

I promise to find peace and solace within myself.

I promise to do more things for other that are less fortunate by volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and other organizations I agree with.

I promise to work on my relationship with my brother because one day he will be the only family I have.

I promise to not be so bitchy, selfish, shallow, and a liar.

I promise to be a better person then the one I am right now.

And with that, I will end one year and start something new.  Best of luck to all!!

How to make hard-boiled eggs?

Despite of my sometime awesome cooking skills, hard-boiled eggs are a mystery to me.  No joke.  I always forget to put on a timer, thus leaving them boiling for like 25 minutes, instead of the recommended 10.  My bad.  But how to make hard-boiled eggs isn’t the only phrase or words that I’ve recently caught myself searching online for answers.  Here are a few of the other one’s I’ve searched:

Patricia Hurst

Where does ginger come from?  (Turns out it’s a root, thus ginger root.  Never really put those two together…)

Anise

Stockholm Syndrome

Can you half an egg?  (Answer is yes, never would have thought.)

How many miles are in a 5K and 10K?

How to covert a kilometer to miles (I, of course, can’t do this but none the less.)

Zoolander 2 (Turns out the movie is coming out in 2014.)

Water Filtration

Occupy Wall Street

How to cut a butternut squash?

Neil Patrick Harris

Glee

Owls

Normal Chihuahua Weight (for Bailey, of course)

Adele

Plasma Rich Protein

Vegan

Average Temperature for Miami in January

So these are just some.  There are a lot of food related searches, mainly because I LOVE FOOD and like to learn more about it.  But at the end of the day, Google is a life saver and even a verb in the current lexicon.  I say the following example several times at day:

“Go Google it.”

This statement is said to my coworkers when a topic being discussed is unfamiliar to them.  And maybe some of the things aren’t really common knowledge but nonetheless, I don’t know what I or about 90% of people at least would do without Google.

Any who, these is what’s been going on lately…

Um, let me see… Well… Okay so here is what I’ve done…

The CHCI 34th Annual Gala was mid-September.  Per usual, the whole week was a bit crazy for me because of my boss’ obligations to the events of the week but the Gala went off great.  The food was exactly what was picked at the delicious tasting I had a few months back. And it’s great to see people all dressed up and having a good time, especially my wonderful co-workers.

I went to Vegas for my 24th birthday with my two best friends Lindsey and Ashley.  Had an amazing time, that I can remember thankfully.  Ate a bunch of great places.  Definitely recommend Sushi Samba if you are into asian fusion restaurants and like sushi.  AMAZING!! But overall, it was a great trip with my amazing friends.

The wonderful DC Drag Queen 25th Annual High Heel Race was the last week of October and a friend was going to be in it!!  I was beyond excited.  He even asked me to do his makeup and hair. I felt honored.  At the last-minute, he opted for no make up.  But still looked, well, great may be a stretch but he looked decent for a man who has never been in drag.

And then a couple of weeks go I went to a horrible A&M vs. Missouri game over the Halloween weekend.  I only say horrible because A&M lost, per usual, in overtime.  They seem to think that football is played in only two quarters instead of four.  Hopefully next year in the SEC will be a bit better, probably not but one can dream, right?  But while I was there I got to spend some more time catching up with Ashley and her family at their ranch.  There is nothing I love more than a beautiful country sunset like this one.

Isn’t that gorgeous!!  Makes me miss Texas but after the eat-a-thon I had for the four days I was there, I’m still trying to work off the couple extra pounds I gain.  Totally well worth it for the Blue Bell new creations of Christmas Cookie and Spiced Pumpkin Pecan.  It’s good things these bad boys aren’t sold in DC or else I would be in big trouble.

And up next on the itinerary….

My mom is coming for Thanksgiving and I can’t wait!!  So excited for her to be here with me.  I think I’m going to make a couple of Cornish hens for dinner that day.  What she doesn’t know is that she’s taking me shopping for Black Friday.  I’ll let her figure out that one when she arrives.

I’m going home to San Antonio for Christmas and New Year and Bailey is coming with me!!  This’ll be the first time Bailey gets on a plane so we’ll see how she handles that, and what else I learn about travel, with pets this time.

In January, Ashley and I are going to get together again but this time in Miami for her 25th birthday.  All I can think is this stupid song but none the less, very excited!!  Yippee!!

Let the new adventures begin!!

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Job, Life, Past/Future Travels ]]> http://hardtimesfordreamers.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/and-im-back/feed/ 0 Hard.Times.For.Dreamers CHCI IMG_0171 High Heel Race Sunset http://hardtimesfordreamers.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/dear-rain/ http://hardtimesfordreamers.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/dear-rain/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:14:04 +0000 Hard.Times.For.Dreamers http://hardtimesfordreamers.wordpress.com/?p=335 ]]> Dear Rain,

I greatly appreciate you very much.  I like to be indoors though then you fall from the sky.  I think you are beautiful.  I know places like Texas need you very much, not so much the soaked mid-Atlantic.

I don’t appreciate getting caught in the rain during my morning run.  You burn my eyes.  I wouldn’t have minded so much if I would have worn a cap like I usually do.  But it is a bit fun running in you.  I think I run faster, probably not.

Love a very soaked,

Sophie

So having a dog, I immediately was able to relate to Louise Bernikow’s Bark If You Love Me.  Of course, Bailey doesn’t bark to show her affection.  She’s more of a licker.  And a good one at that.

Anyways, Louise is a 30 something singleton in NYC when she adopts a boxer during a run at her local park through no explanation at all.  The trials and tribulations she goes through the first year as a pet owner ring far too true.  The book is a short read that’s really fun.  So overall, a great book when you just want something easy.  Of course, as a dog person, and yes once you become a dog owner you immediately become a dog person even if you never thought you would ever be one, I could totally understand just about everything Louise went through with Libro, the dog.  Because at the end of the day, the more boys I meet, the more I love Bailey.

Well, the story, of course, revolves around Charlie St. Cloud.  It starts with him as a teenager and then flashes forward ten years to when he’s an adult.  At least, I think it’s ten years.  Any who, Charlie is now the groundskeeper at Marblehead cemetery where his brother Sam is buried.  Sam died when he was 12 in a car accident where Charlie was driving the car he had “borrowed” from their elderly neighbor.  Ever since Sam’s death, Charlie can see Sam’s spirit in the cemetery where they play catch in a special field Charlie created in the woods nearby.  Sam is only visible as dusk and since his death, Charlie has not missed a game of catch.  One day, Charlie meets Tess Carroll, a local sailor walking through the cemetery. They talk and Charlie invites her to have dinner with him that evening.  The only problem is that Sam can see Tess too and with Sam being dead, well.  You get the picture.  There is a happy ending though.

Anyways, I don’t want to spoil the ending too much but over all, I liked the book.  I didn’t expect the twist even though looking back it was pretty evident.

And since Borders is closing its doors forever, I’ve increased my “To Read” list what feels exponentially in addition to all the reading and studying I’ve been doing for the GRE.  Fun!!

1) Flying is very susceptible to weather. Because of stupid hurricane Irene, that bitch, two of my flights where cancelled. One of them was even before the hurricane was in the DC area. It wasn’t even raining at the time when my flight was to land at DCA. Thankfully I was able to get the first flight to DCA the following day. Thank you nice lady that I called at Continental.

2) Doesn’t matter how much you don’t care if it’s “window or aisle,” aisle is better if you have the bladder the size of a pea. I have the bladder the size of a pea. You would think that I would learn that this means I should sit my butt in an aisle seat but I still don’t. Yes, I am that person who crawls over the sleeping old man and the grandmother to make it to the “lavatory.” (Why do airlines use the word lavatory? I’ve always wondered this.)

3) This goes in part with #2 and may just pertain to me but I really shouldn’t drink coffee in the morning. I’m not a coffee drinker. It gets me all sorts of jittery and gives me the shakes, no joke, but whenever I have a morning flight I always get a cup of coffee. Yes, I’m fully aware of how stupid that is. Especially since caffeine makes you pee like crazy.

4) There is really no such thing as comfortable clothes on a flight. Doesn’t matter if you’re on a flight for 2 hours or 20, it’s going to suck. My motto is, “Might as well look good doing it” so I’ll be that person other passengers may judge due to my choice of shoes.

5) I’ve become an expert packer. Not to blow my own horn but I really am. Ask any of my friends. I can pack for a 10 day trip with nothing but a carry-on including 3 different pairs of shoes, outfits for every day, and options for nighttime. This is where the OCD in me comes out. I organize, roll, fold, and plan everything out. I’m also a big lover of solids. So from shampoo to conditioner to lotion, everything is in solid form to TSA won’t pitch a fit about the bottle sizes and stuff.

6) Going along with carry-on items, you need to be mindful of where you are sitting in regards to back, front, middle, of the plane when you have a carry-on that will be going in the overhead bins. The last few times I’ve flown, even though I’m in the front/middle of the plane, the overhead bins get full and my bag ends up having to be checked. I know, I get pissed because that totally defeats the purpose of using a “carry-on” suitcase. Also having the upper body strength of an 8-year-old girl doesn’t help on the getting my suitcase in the overhead bin part anyways. This is when I look around desperately for a nice gentleman who will help. I’ve been pretty successful on getting help.

7) Check the stupid seat pocket when exiting the plan. I’ve lost several books this way over the last few years. Most recent was “The Girl Who Played With Fire.” I was greatly upset when I realized I had left my book on my first flight. Mind you, you think I would learn but I haven’t. And my book was getting super good too!! Guess I have to hit up Goodwill in the next few weeks in hunt for my book. Maybe I should stick to magazines?

8) Pack stinken’ snacks, and no candy doesn’t count. I’m a snacker. I can eat all day long. I know this yet, do I pack snacks, no. I end up buying a little bag of candy at the airport, eating that, and then wondering why I still feel hungry. And airplane food sucks beyond belief and totally not worth the $7 for a tiny bag of pretzels and a stick of Slim Jim.

Happy Travels!!

Over the last year, a lot of things have changed and I’ve learned a lot as well.  About me, about the world, and about what I want out of life.  I can see myself doing things that I would have thought were impossible.

Today I can say I am a much stronger person then I was back then.  I’ve been through some much personally and professionally that it’s hard to see me as anything less than I am now.

In the midst of it all, I’ve also had a lot of ups and a few downs too.  But in the end, today, I can say that I am a better person then I was just one year ago. 

I guess that’s what we all should do, strive for improvement within ourselves and improvement in the world and society will soon follow.  I think that will me my new mantra.