Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Liberation - August 19, 2008

I'm a big fan of Budget Travel magazine. If you haven't read it, you really should. It has travel tips, sample itineraries, 40 travel deals for each month and some amazing pictures. For someone like me, on a constant budget, it's the perfect travel indulgence...telling me how to economically enjoy the world. Every quarter, Budget Travel comes with a supplement called Girlfriend Getaways, a sister publication that focuses on how you and your gal pals can see the world. This quarter's issue of Girlfriend Getaways focused on girlfriends goading their friends into all sorts of ridiculous and at the same time, liberating, activities.

Now aside from my sorority road trips in college (which usually consisted of sleeping on a floor), I've never really taken a girlfriend getaway (but I do have aspirations of a trip to Vegas for all my girlfriends reading, so start putting away!). But this past weekend my great friend and bridesmaid Dionne was in Miami with some of her friends. They spent 3 days getting sun on the beach and nights on the strip. On Saturday, I decided to join them. Despite my residence in Miami, I barely get over to the beach...a shame, I know.

So we get to the beach and I down a deliciously strong smoothie from Wet Willy's. The sun is blazing so we all head out to the water and someone decides they're going to go topless....and someone else follows...and I'm thinking, should I? I've never dared to do such a thing. I've been wearing a bra since the 2nd grade so my chest has never been cute and perky - nothing I thought was worth sharing and really, just a cause for poor posture. But then someone else takes the plunge and I decide, why the hell not?!?! So down comes the suit. And at first I'm timid, ducked down in the water hoping not to gross anyone out by the sheer magnitude of my "flotation devices" as someone so eloquently put it. But then I noticed that no one else seemed ashamed...no one else felt the need to hide or cross their arms. So I just swam around, I stood straight up, I even had the audacity to float on my back...and it felt wonderful. It was nice to just let it all hang out so to speak - to know that I was doing something a little naughty, but not quite dirty...and the exhibitionist in me blossomed (she's the one who floated on her back). Here's to many more girlfriend getaways.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Olympics - Tuesday, August 12, 2008


Did you see the opening ceremonies to the Olympics? A-MAZ-ING! I mean really, 2008 people doing EXACTLY the same thing?! It's like the world's greatest step show. I just don't know how London will be able to do anything like this in 2012. I've never actually been to Britain but the impression I've been given of this country where my dollar is worth $0.50 on a good day is bland food, lots of rain and much beer. Will they be able to present something as spectacular as this show? The largest LCD screen in existence, synchronization at it's best, culture, history, the bird's nest AND the water cube. I'm in awe of all of it.


Aside from the spectacular Olympic presentation of the Chinese in executing the world's largest sporting event, I'm also amazed at how suddenly, everyone I run into is a sports fan...myself included. I've been up past 11 every night since the opening ceremonies (my bedtime is really 10 o'clock and would be earlier if my husband would allow it). From beach volleyball to gymnastics (beautiful) and synchronized diving, which I didn't even know was a sport five days ago, I've watched anything that comes across the screen. I've diligently tracked the metal count (always hoping to catch the Dominican Republic on the list) and cursing when I see that China has 17 gold medals compared to the US's 7. And every conversation I've had has involved the Olympics.


I then find my mind wandering off to life as an Olympian and am definitely most interested in all of the little background stories presented throughout the games. Michael Phelps eats 8 - 10,000 calories a day! And it's still not enough to break 200 lbs. Aside from swimming, he eats and sleeps, he's lazy out of the pool. Shawn Johnson's gym in Iowa flooded so she trained in 2 ft of water until she was evacuated. One of the American synchro divers had her mom move to Indiana with her so she could train with her partner.


The life of an Olympian is some life. For someone like me who's been vowing to loose 20 lbs and study for the GMAT for the last two years...and have accomplished neither goal....the thought of putting everything aside and spending all of that time and energy on a sport and physical fitness just blows my mind. I mean, the type of endurance and mental concentration is baffling. And the sacrifice - missing middle and high school to train, having your mom move across the country with you (away from her husband) so that you can maybe be an Olympian. Would I go through all that if I were talented enough? Would my parents have even considered such a drastic change and financial commitment? My mom couldn't even be convinced to take me to softball practice (my Dad drove down to Jersey from NYC twice a week so that I could go). The whole thing is just....yes, I'll say it again....amazing. And really what I need to take from it all is some inspiration, a little nudge to plug away at my goals - don't have dessert and crack the GMAT prep book open. Because that's nothing compared to what other people do to achieve their goals.


Sunday, August 10, 2008

Mike's Birthday - August 10, 2008

Another party at the Fuller residence. Mike's 24th birthday was yesterday...don't you love when that special day falls on a Saturday? At first we weren't going to do anything big, a party for two if you will. But on Friday, Mike decided maybe we should invite some people. So I did my wifely duty and made the appropriate phone calls.

I always get a little anxious having an "event." Perhaps it's residual anxiety from my high schools years, but I'm always afraid I'm not cool enough for people to actually come and if they do come, I worry that they won't have fun at my house...since we technically don't have enough seating for everyone, no patio furniture for the BBQ part and a lack of board games (which is apparently what parties consist of in your mid-twenties?).

But all in all it went really well. Most of Mike's close friends came through (food and drink in hand). The BBQ was delicious, drinks were abundant and the laughs continued. Mike's night ended in happy drunkenness. And I officially earned the title of "Best Wife to Have on Your Birthday" for putting it all together.