Like getting a Prius...

I ran across this article today while reading my obligatory 'blog check' this morning. What I like about this article is that it is written by a guy who is not a vegetarian and that it is in the New York Times. The environmental argument for reducing meat consumption is just as strong as the argument for animal rights. I'm glad there is someone out there who is helping bring this information out into the mainstream conversation.

Go ahead, click on it. It is a short read and there aren't any gross descriptions of animal cruelty.

(eh-hem...Stepping up on my soapbox) - I really wish that people could start demanding smaller portions of meat. Can you imagine the intestines of someone who has eaten scrambled eggs and sausage biscuit for breakfast, a chicken sandwich for lunch, and beef fajitas for dinner? Ewww....That's not even as bad as the Denver omelette for breakfast (with ham), Chili's baby back ribs for lunch, and a 12oz steak at dinner. Seriously, there are starving people in the world and we eat meat at almost every meal. Feed a person some grains, not a cow.

Isla de Mujeres

Okay, the trip is not all about work. I joined the team Thursday for the 'fun day' on a trip to Isla de Mujeres. We boarded a large catamaran and 'sailed' for an hour or so to the Isla de Mujeres, a small island very near Cancun. I think they put the sail up for show, but really just ran the motor as it was not windy at all. We stopped on the way to the island for some snorkeling in a National Park. I am pretty picky about when I will get in the salt water, but when the alternative is staying on a boat that is rocking, I'll take the snorkeling anyday. Fortunately, I had taken Dramamine the night before and my motion sickness did not kick in at all.

So, I braved the nasty salt water for some time floating in the warm waters near Cancun. The fish were nice, but when you have snorkeled in Hawaii, it is hard to compare. I had a good time.

After reaching the Isla de Mujeres, our group spent the afternoon relaxing at the beach, playing volleyball, jet skiing in the ocean and enjoying an open bar. I spent most of the day under an umbrella looking at the ocean as you can see in my picture.

Viva Mexico!

So, right now I am missing the cold week in Austin...I'm in Cancun, Mexico. No, I'm not having fun yet...I'm working. The rest of the group is checking in today and I am manning the welcome desk making sure they all get their welcome bag.


I have been practicing my Spanish with a few of the employees here. The lady in the business center and the teppanyaki chef in the buffet have been the most helpful with my practice.

Last night I took advantage of the gigantic whirlpool tub. At this resort, the tub is smack dab in the main part of the hotel room, right in front of the sliding door to the balcony. It is literally 2 feet from the beds. Apparently it is perfect for couples who come here for a romantic weekend.

Anyhow, the tub comes with instructions on how to fill and it says specifically to make sure the water level is 2 inches above the top jet. I read this, really. After about 30 minutes of filling the tub, I grew impatient and noticed that the water was just under the top jet. Well, so I took a chance and pressed the red button. Immediately water started spraying all over the room. I guess I thought it was just going to be air jets. How wrong I was!

Water got on the curtains, covered the entire bedroom floor, sprayed some on both beds...What a disaster! I frantically shut of the jets and laughed out loud alone in my room. So, that was it for bath time. I spent the next 15 minutes mopping up the room, trying to save at least one dry towel for my body instead of the floor.

Sometimes following directions are safe...sometimes not following directions can be fun.

Wedding Update

Here is where we are -

• I hired a wedding coordinator to take over all of my plans. She and her team will be great.
• My dress has come in and I have been fitted for alterations. I fit in it, but will be more comfortable if I can lose 5 pounds. I am aiming for 5-10.
• The invitations are being assembled and they are very pretty in their envelopes. I was thrilled to see the calligraphy.
• Chad's mom and Jim have met my dad and Rose. We all went to dinner last night at Mirabelle and had a wonderful time. I was glad that everyone was laughing and enjoying good conversation the whole night.
• Our ceremony has been discussed and we have decided how we would like it to 'flow'. I am excited about our readings and vows.

I can read.

I have trouble reading. I don't mean that I have trouble actually deciphering the words or with comprehension, I mean that I hardly ever pick up a book and read the whole story.

I didn't really make a New Year's resolution to read more this year, but I did commit to myself that I would watch less TV. A natural result of this commitment is that I became curious about picking up a book again. Plus, I had some money left on a B&N gift certificate and I felt like shopping.

I read The Kite Runner. In two days.

I won't really give my review of the book other than to say it opened my eyes a bit more to some of the situations in the plight of Afghani citizens. I also was glad that the story was universal enough to relate to the issues of family, love, regrets, and redemption. It is a human story.

Checking in

Hi. I'm still here.

Things have been busy, and yes, some things have happened that I should have already blogged about. I think I have just been keeping to myself lately. I get to go to Cancun next week for work (yes, it is cool. no, I will not be on vacation). If I have any time at all I will try to blog. I hope that my cell phone works there or I will be very sad not talking to Chad. Worst case we IM each other, or I get a calling card, right?

I am going to try to create some short blog entries to catch everyone up on what has been happening...I don't want to write too much though.

First Post of the Year

I was reminded by my friend Diana today that we are now in the year that Chad and I will get married. That sounds very cool.

Right now I am so busy with work and wrapping up details for the wedding/honeymoon/merge of households, that I don't realize how much there is to be done. I have gone through periods of stress over the last couple of weeks, mostly because of things I can't control. I have not gone completely ballistic yet (despite my pre-Christmas meltdown over the vegan holiday roast).

You know that state between manageable, constant stress, and the excitement of impending fun? That is where I am right now. A lot of my stress will go away in exactly 20 days. I will be on a plane back home from our sales meeting and I will be done with the 2 major parts of my job that can be difficult. Can I tell you how much I am ready for that?

This spring looks to be full of fun and travel...
Jan - Cancun meeting (5 days)
Feb - possible trip to LA for more meetings (3-4 days)
Feb - Trip to Chicago for girls weekend (bachelorette style) (3 days)
Mar - wedding
Mar - honeymoon in France (12 days)
Mar - merge of households
Apr - Boston - for Chad (4 days)

I hope I can channel this cool, collected energy through it all.