Happy Thanksgiving

It is a little strange actually being home for Thanksgiving.  I haven't been home in years.  Twelve years to be precise.

In 1999, I had just moved to Houston and wasn't sure I could swing a plane ticket home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  My mom made the rule that I had to be home for Christmas.  I'm actually not sure what I did for Thanksgiving itself.  Probably nothing.

In 2000, I was in London on rotation and I went with a few other ex-pats to Simpson's in the Strand for a very interesting dinner.  All the right ingredients were there (turkey, potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin) but it wasn't the same.

In 2001 and 2002, I went to Michelle and Jason's.

In 2003, I took my first overseas Thanksgiving trip to London.  I didn't have to take as many vacation days due to the holiday and it wasn't as crowded!  And a tradition was born.

In 2004, I went with my friend Laura to Rome, Dublin, and London.

In 2005, it was the first Thanksgiving (and first Europe trip) for me and Jana.  We went to Prague and London.

In 2006, Jana and I went to Paris and Rome. 

In 2007, Diane and I went to Rome, Venice, Florence and London.

In 2008, Jana and I went to Vienna and Budapest.

In 2009, I went to Dublin and London with my brother.

In 2010, Jessica, Nilufer & I went to Italy.

And in 2011 I am home (having gone on my Europe trip the week before Thanksgiving).  It was a small gathering this year - just my parents, me and my brother.  None of us are big on cooking (well except my brother) so we got a turkey and stuffing from Whole Foods (brilliant!) and I was in charge of the mashed sweet potatoes (via fANNEtastic food) and helped with the regular mashed potatoes.  It was a nice little Thanksgiving.  We also had our staple of olives.  My brother loves olives!  In fact, we would always bring olives to Thanksgiving (and other holidays) but we would have to bring two cans.  One for my brother and one for everyone else.  Things really haven't changed! :)

My contribution - Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Thanksgiving Dinner

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today I was in Italy.  We woke up early to take the train out to Cinque Terre where I was determined to hike from one town to the next, setting foot in all five towns.  I had tried to do this once before but my (then) travel companions decided it was a much better idea to sit and have another glass of wine (or two or more) while overlooking the gorgeous view.  Okay, so the view was incredible (as was the wine).  And I never made it to all five towns.  But this was my second chance!

We arrived at the furthest town (Monterosso) and went to buy our hiking pass and were informed that the trails were closed.  What?  Really?  There had been a lot of rain and so they had decided to close the trails early.  But we didn't let that stop us!  (Although maybe we should have.)

Several other groups of tourists were of the same mind as us and we all set off on the "closed" trail.  Which meant there was a sign on the trail head saying it was closed.  We took off.  We had started off doing the most challenging of the hikes and they weren't kidding when they said it was challenging.  A lot of ups.  A lot of downs.  But the views were amazing!

We were almost to the next town when we came across a section of the trail that was washed out.  We knew there had been people in front of us and since we hadn't seen them turn back, they must have made it across.  There were people coming towards us, so we decided to go for it.  First Jessica, who had one hand on the handrail and one hand on the stone wall.  Next Nilufer, who had both hands on the stone wall.  And then it was my turn.

The voice in my head was saying "Dear Emily, please sit on your bottom and scoot across."  But did I listen to the little voice?  No, I did not.  My eyes had seen Jessica & Nilufer make it across, being very careful.  So I could do that too.  I had the foresight to 1) put my camera away in my bag and 2) toss my jacket over to Jessica to hold.  I should have given her my bag as well.

One very carefully placed step.  Two very carefully placed steps.  CRACK!  The handrail gave way and I went over the side.  I grabbed a tree/shrub and it came out.  And I kept going.  A very nice tree grabbed me and I stopped sliding.  For the moment.  I tried to stand up and immediately started sliding again.

I heard voices yelling down to me.  Nilufer, Jessica, and two other hikers who had been coming toward us.  "I'm okay.  I just need to sit for a minute."  I collected myself and was able to find my footing and clamber up and back onto the trail.  I knew immediately there was something wrong with my knee.  But there wasn't much to do except continue on.

For the rest of the trip I self-medicated with lots and lots of ibuprofen.  Little did I know that fall would end up impacting my life for a whole year.  I would say I'm basically 100% although it still acts up now and then (especially after sitting in a movie theater or a long plane ride!).

And while I complained a lot about my knee (and I mean A LOT) I think I learned a few things - patience, listening not only to my body but also to the little voice in my head, and I started walking again (which was really how I started on this whole racing journey of mine).  Patience was maybe the hardest thing.  I had come so far on my running journey and here I was forced to stop.  And while I'm looking forward to starting to run again, learning to appreciate the ability to run and re-discovering the joy of walking to a finish line were invaluable lessons.

Will I make it back to Cinque Terre?  Who knows?  I'd like to someday.

Looking back, (and in the spirit of Thanksgiving) I am extremely grateful for the tree that caught me, my guardian angel who was definitely watching over me, Jessica & Nilufer for being there and helping me, all of you who offered encouragement and support, and my chiropractor and my physical therapist for working with me to get me back to 100%.  I shudder sometimes thinking back at what could have been.  And one year later, I am honestly just thankful to be here.

And with that...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The beginning of our hike

A long ways down

A sweaty mess, but enjoying the hike & views

And the cliff I fell off

The view that kept me going

Brussels

When we last spoke, I was mid-packing for Belgium. We survived the early morning flight and were soon at our hotel in Brussels. We were given the Istanbul room which we started calling our Cave of Wonders room. That and started singing Istanbul was Constantinople incessantly.

Right out in front of our hotel they were getting ready for a Christmas market. We were about a week too early. Darn! I do enjoy the Christmas markets.

Still no gelato on this trip, but I did have plenty of croissants, waffles, fries and chocolate. And I was introduced to speculoos - gingerbread yumminess!

And now it is time to pack again. Au revoir vacation!


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Zagreb

Well it's our last night in Zagreb. And the Croatian soccer team is playing Turkey so we've been seeing (and hearing) lots of soccer fans!! And the game hasn't even started!

Zagreb was cute and very cold!! Thank goodness I brought gloves, a last minute addition to my packing.

Our hotel is in a great location - right near the big square. We've seen museums and churches, walked around and shopped at the market. We also took a bus out to the neighboring town of Samobor and a train to Ljubljana (in Slovenia, so I get to cross another country off my list).

And apparently diet coke does not exist in Zagreb - all they have is coke zero. I hate to say it but it has been too cold for gelato. I know, I can't believe it either!!

Tomorrow is an early morning flight to Belgium! Whose idea was that?!

See you in Belgium!



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Five Senses Friday

Oh the joy of scheduling a post!!  I am most likely on a plane right now, flying to Zagreb.  Why Zagreb?  Yeah, I'm not sure either.  Someplace I haven't been to is always good!  We were initially thinking Dubrovnik but somehow Dubrovnik turned into Zagreb.  Followed by Brussels.  Why Brussels?  We've found it is good (for us anyway) to pair an Eastern European city with a Western European city.  I haven't been to Brussels in probably 10 years and Jana has never been.  And there were direct flights between Zagreb & Brussels for an added bonus! :)

Seeing

• Christmas (or Holiday) Lights

Hearing

• Leaves crunching underneath my feet 

Smelling

• Plum lotion

Tasting

• I'm looking forward to tasting yummy cappuccinos!  Why do they taste so much better in Europe?  Oh and Belgium chocolate!!  I'm also looking forward to that! 

Feeling

• Do you ever have those weeks where you feel the need to tell yourself "I love my job, I love my job"?  Yeah, it's been one of those weeks. 

Thankful

• That I'm going to Europe with my BFF Jana!! 

That's all folks!  See you in a week or so!

Twelve by 2012 Check In

Brrr!!  I enjoyed my extra hour this morning by freezing on my seven mile walk.  It took forever for my fingers to warm up!!  The several comments I got from other runners/walkers were all about how cold it was.  My car temperature read 29 degrees when I got.  I still feel cold....

But enough about that - let's see what I've been up to with my Twelve by 2012 list.

1. Close unused checking account.  Done!!  It was actually quite easy - called up the bank and asked them to close it.

3. Hold a plank position for 1 minute.  In progress


6. Attend yoga at least twice a week.  Week One - success!!  Made it to yoga Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.


8. Catch up and finish reading my bible in one year plan.  In progress


9. Decide if I'm wearing a costume for the Tinker Bell & Princess Half Marathons (and order them!).  In progress - ordered my costume for the Princess Half, still trying to figure out Tinker Bell.


12. Take the stairs to work at least twice a week.  Week one - success!!  Took the stairs Wednesday and Friday.  Wow, it has been a long time since I've taken the stairs...  

Okay, not bad.  Definitely some progress made!!  Hopefully I can keep up the momentum!

Five Senses Friday

Already at the end of another week?  How time flies!!

Seeing

• Red Christmas cups are back at Starbucks!!  Even though I would prefer for Thanksgiving to have come and gone before getting super excited for Christmas - I do love the red cups!  They just make me happy!!

Smelling

• Apple Cider 

Hearing

• Is it bad I'm still listening to my Mickey's Not So Scary CD even though Halloween is over?

Tasting

• Milk - I'm trying to better about drinking milk (it does a body good, you know!)

Feeling

• Hungry!!  So I rejoined Weight Watchers (which is probably another topic for another post) and now I have the mindset of I can't eat (which isn't the case) and so I feel starving all the time.  Which I'm not.   

And P.S.  Today is the last day to tell me if you want me to send you a postcard from my upcoming travels.

And P.P.S. I forgot I was going to add a new section to Five Senses since it is November and Thanksgiving.

Thankful

• For Daylight Savings so it won't be quite so dark in the mornings!

Hello Treadmill

Well apparently I got a little post happy over the past few days, so if you missed it, here is a recap!

Postcards From Moi - I love postcards, how about you?  Especially postcards from Zagreb & Brussels!

I'm Really Getting Sick of Riding Rides With You - Recap from my trip to WDW where I attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and ventured outside of Disney!!

Twelve By 2012 - Goals to complete before the clock strikes midnight on 12/31/11 (and is it just me, or does the world twelve look funny?)

What else has been going on?  Well, this morning I realized there was no way I was going to go out in the dark and cold to do seven miles so treadmill it was.  When is daylight savings again?  It has to be happening soon, right?  Have I mentioned before how I abhor the treadmill?  Well, I do.  Especially for anything over three miles and I here I am attempting seven!!  Treadmills definitely have their good points - being able to stop anytime and use the bathroom being primary on my list (plus the already mentioned avoiding darkness and cold - oh and keeping a consistent pace is another point in the treadmill's favor).  So work up this morning, headed to the gym and attempted to turn on the TV.  Nothing.  Blech!  I could have definitely used some TV to keep me entertained.  But I still had my iPod.  It seemed so much longer than it actually was but finally I was done.  Hip, hip, hooray!!

P.S.  Guess who signed up for the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll??  Oh yeah!  My first Rock 'n' Roll event!!  And if I do one, you know I'm going to have to do another one, because I will want that special medal.  Now which one to do??

Twelve by 2012

 

It is no secret that I love lists.  And even more than lists, I love crossing things off lists!  So when I saw Mandi's list of 12 by 2012 I knew I wanted in (via oh, hello friend).  There isn't much left of 2011, so let's see what I can do before the clock turns to 2012.  Plus this may be the motivation I have been looking for.  I don't know if it is the change in season or what but I have been feeling blah lately. 


Bold = Finished!   Italics = Working on it!   (Last updated: November 6, 2011)

1. Close unused checking account.
2. Try two new recipes.
3. Hold a plank position for 1 minute.
4. Ease back into running once 1 year has passed since I fell off a cliff (I think the best part about falling off a cliff is saying "I fell off a cliff!").
5. Cancel my American Express card since I never use it.
6. Attend yoga at least twice a week.
7. Upload & send out pictures from recent trips.
8. Catch up and finish reading my bible in one year plan.
9. Decide if I'm wearing a costume for the Tinker Bell & Princess Half Marathons (and order them!).
10. Make an appointment with the podiatrist.
11. Find a green monster smoothie recipe I like.
12. Take the stairs to work at least twice a week.

Five Senses Friday

Seeing

• The new show "Once Upon A Time" - I was intrigued and will keep watching (for now)

Smelling

• Someone's really icky smelling lunch 

Hearing

• Everything on a muted level - my ears are still somewhat plugged from this lovely cold I picked up 

Tasting

• Yummy food at Via Napoli at Epcot!! 

Feeling

• Rather run down - stupid cold! 

I'm Really Getting Sick of Riding Rides with You

So while those words did come out of Jessica's mouth they originated with a kid in front of us while we were waiting for the Yeti (proper title being Expedition Everest, but much more of a mouthful than to simply call it the Yeti).  It cracked us up and so became our go-to phrase during the trip!  I think we're going to do a bullet point extravaganza to sum up the trip because that means it will actually get done!

• On the Magical Express video, Huey, Dewey and Louie are on the screen and the little kid behind me goes "3 Donalds!"  And this is just another reason why Disney needs a Classic Disney channel to show all the old cartoons!!  That way Huey, Dewey and Louie are not mistaken for their uncle!
• We had to work our way up to the Yeti with the trio of dinosaur rides - Dinosaur Dumbo (I don't know its real name), Primeval Whirl, and Dinosaur.
• We were entertained (and reassured) while we were in line for the Yeti by 4 cousins (ages 7 to 12).  The one who said "I'm really getting sick of riding rides with you" was pulled out of line by mom and substituted with a girl cousin.  They were super cute and helped pass the time.  Although they did tell us that the Harry Potter ride was not a good ride.
• I just discovered the fruit and cheese snacks at Animal Kingdom!!  Yum!
• Jessica, errr Cruella, got reprimanded by most of the characters at Mickey's Not So Scary.  Poor puppies!  
• I did get recognized as Minnie (I'm sure the ears helped!) and Minnie liked my outfit! :) 
• I remembered the Headless Horseman being way cooler.
• Ditto with Cinderella's carriage.
• We did not do so well getting candy at the Halloween party - and it was not the good candy either (i.e. no chocolate).  I was fairly disappointed in my candy haul.
• I felt a little like a traitor going to Universal but good things about Universal?  Starbucks, the super cool hand dryer machines, and BUTTERBEER!
• I was nervous about going on Harry Potter for several reasons, one being would I be able to fit considering I'm on the bigger side?  I sat in the test chair outside the ride and was given the okay that I could sit in any chair I wanted.  Whew!
• Harry Potter was a crazy ride!!  But fun!  And much better if you close your eyes in the room with the spiders.  
• Of course the second time I got stuck in the room with the dementors.  Ick!
• Butterbeer was DELICIOUS!  (A cross between cream soda and butterscotch.)
• Loved Suess Landing!
• Usually it's Toy Story over Rockin' Rollercoaster, but this time it was the other way around.  
• Jessica IS the rebel spy!
• Um, when did Lightning McQueen replace Herbie on Lights, Motors, Action?!
• Watching Fantasmic while Illuminations is going on is a little distracting.
• We brought our sweatshirts instead of buying new Mickey ones.  Which is probably the more fiscally responsible thing to do. 
• Not having a park hopper option is somewhat liberating!  Instead of deciding what park to go to next when you are done, you just go home.
• I love driving to Magic Kingdom (and Epcot) and looking at roads I've run on - and will again in February.  Ack!!  That isn't that far away!!
• We had zero line magic at Epcot.  Which meant no Mexico and no Nemo.  Boo.  Guess that means another trip is in order! :)  Hey, how about February?
• There is no gum sold in the Orlando Airport.  Seriously.  No gum sold in the entire airport.  Normally it wouldn't bother me, except I caught a cold and so really needed gum on the way home.  No such luck.  It was a fairly painful descent (although I've probably had worse, but this was the worst in recent memory).  And my ears are still plugged.  Ugh.

Postcards from Moi

I love postcards.  I'm not sure when my love affair began with postcards.  But getting a little slice from some exotic (or not so exotic) place captivates me.  I am always so excited when I receive a postcard in the mail.  I generally bring them to work and hang them up on the wall as my window on to the outside world.  My wall used to be completely covered but then we moved a couple of times and the postcards came down.  So each time we moved I started a new postcard wall.  Because I love postcards so much, I generally send out lots of postcards when I travel.

Anyone who has travelled with me knows how seriously I take my postcards.  It is a labor of love.  First there is finding the postcards.  I'm fairly picky, not just any postcard will do.  And I don't like to send a postcard unless I've been to or seen what is on the postcard.  And it has to be pretty (to me at least).  Or say what is on / in the postcard.  Next is finding a post office to buy stamps.  You wouldn't think this would be so difficult.  But it can be.  (I'm remembering a time walking through "Sherwood Forest" in Prague to get to the post office.)  Then there is the addressing and writing of the postcards.  I try not to write the same thing on each postcard.  They may have a similar theme, but I try to personalize each one a little or add one or two different thoughts.  There is a particularly incriminating photo somewhere that shows me asleep on a train in the middle of writing a postcard.  I'll see if I can find it.  And finally there is the mailing of the postcards.  A few times I have had to rely on the kindness of strangers when I've left the mailing too long and there hasn't been a mailbox at the airport.  (Each time I have given postcards to someone at the airport they have all arrived!)  Oh, and on my very first overseas trip (way back when to my favorite place in the whole world - LONDON) I gave my postcards to some little old lady I met on the street in York.  And those arrived safely too!

It is always interesting to see how long it takes for the postcards to arrive (if they do - postcards from Budapest took months and when they arrived they were in pretty bad shape and some of the postcards from my trip to Austria earlier this year never arrived).  And every once in awhile one postcard will arrive at a house and one will not and when one arrives for one sister but not for the other, that can be a problem!

Which brings me to the point of this post.  I thought I would share my love of postcards.  If you'd like to get a postcard from my upcoming trip to Croatia and Brussels, send me an email at travelwithemily (at) gmail (dot) com with your address by November 5th and I will send a postcard to the first ten people to respond (and hopefully the postcards will make it!).  Your address will only used for this purpose.  If you think it's weird and/or stalker-ish, then don't send me your address! :)

Asleep on a train from Venice to Florence

Autumn Colour Week: Brown

Hasn't this been fun?  But now Autumn Colour Week is at an end.  Hopefully you enjoyed it!!

 

 

And yes, the last picture isn't rotated correctly but I can't figure it out so it is just going to be wrong-side up.

Autumn Colour Week: Grey

It's Autumn Colour Week over at  Poppytalk.  Today we are grey.

Tune in tomorrow for our last color - brown!!

Autumn Colour Week: Orange

Orange you glad it's Wednesday!?  Ha!  That joke never gets old!  Well, at least I haven't tired of it yet! :)  It's Autumn Colour Week over at Poppytalk!

The rest of the week looks like this:
Thursday - Grey
Friday - Brown

Autumn Colour Week: Yellow

Oh Yellow Tuesday!  It is Autumn Colour Week over at Poppytalk! 

The rest of the week looks like this:
Wednesday, October 19th - Orange
Thursday, October 20th - Grey
Friday, October 21st - Brown

Autumn Colors Week: Red

Yay!!  It is time for another Color Week over at Poppy Talk!!  I do adore Colors Week!!

Five Senses Friday

It has been a rough week.  But it is almost over!  I'm so thankful for my massage tomorrow!!

Seeing

• A fantastic race at Kona!!  Huge congrats out to Crowie & Chrissie.  I had tears in my eyes as I watched Chrissie cross the finish line  And a huge congrats out to all those who raced at Kona.  Each time I watch it I think maybe...  But then I come back down to reality.  I do really want to attend Kona one of these years though to just be a part of the race.

Hearing

• The soundtrack to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (I leave next week!!!)

Tasting

•  Too many snacks!  Fruit snacks, fruit leather, goldfish, M&Ms...oh and my new fave - Peanut Butter Snickers!!

Feeling

•  A little anxious about my Halloween costume (I leave for WDW in less than a week and it hasn't arrived!!)

Smelling

•   Maple syrup

Rain, Rain Go Away

Now normally I love a good fall storm, but today looking at the torrential downpour, I can only I wish I was someplace warm and tropical.