Tag Archives: Vacation

What Happens in Vegas (22 weeks)

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 MYT is Me!  
VegasSign
  What Happens in Vegas….

Milton are are taking full advantage of ‘babymoons’ over the next couple of months before our freedom to get up and go disappears.  This past weekend we headed to Las Vegas (or as the they call it Lost Wages).

Usually it doesn’t take me long to pack, but packing was no longer fun or exciting.  Everything I wanted to take on the trip didn’t fit.  How do I know it didn’t fit? I tried on each article of clothing.  One after another I’d put it on, look in the mirror and hang it back up.  An hour later I finally found a couple of items that would do and boy was I tired from the process.

The trip started bright and early the next morning with a four hour flight.  I assumed flying would go well as usual.  The takeoff was fine,  but once we were in the air and hit some turbulence, the drama started.  I started to feel light headed.  Then I started to feel nauseated.  Then I really felt nauseated.  I reached and looked for the puke bag. There it was.  I held it close.  I started to sweat.  I opened the bag.  I closed my eyes. I brought the bag closer to my mouth and just knew a spew was on it’s way out.  Milton was worried hoping I would be okay. Right when I felt it at the top of my chest, it changed it’s mind and the most refreshing belch came out.  It was the sound and feeling of freedom.  Free at last!

Vegas was still Vegas.  Bright lights, people everywhere.  Casinos and hotels everywhere.  It was Milton’s first time there so we rented a car and went in and out of as many hotels as possible.  Either I’m old, pregnant or both because my feet became SO tired that by the end of the day my toes were no longer speaking to me, especially on the days we got dressed up to eat at nice restaurants.

But it was all worth it for the great food and shows we attended. Of all that we did, though, our highlight of the trip happened in the car.  We were headed to a show at the Bellagio, I was sitting in the passenger’s seat and felt a baby kick in my stomach.  The top right hand side.  I asked Milton for his hand and put it on the spot.  Kick.  It happened again and this time MIlton felt it.  We were both smiling real big while still looking at my stomach and then kick – you could see the kick through my dress. It’s a moment we’ll never forget!

Our trip to Vegas was a success.  We spent $3 at the casino and unfortunately lost it all. However, we came back from Vegas in style – both married and pregnant!

MYT Pregnancy: My Preggo Vegas Experience (22 weeks)
MYT Pregnancy: My Preggo Vegas Experience (22 weeks)

No What?!

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No What?!

June-09-4A week in Mexico – how exciting!  My bathing suits were picked out.  The sundresses were ready for the beach.  I just needed to check out some last minute things and I was on my way… and that’s when it started happening.

It first started with a phone call to AT&T.  I called to see what my Iphone service would be in Mexico.  I was told that any voicemail call that came in while there, even if I didn’t answer it, would be charged 60 cents.  Using the internet was even worse and more costly.  A simple internet search could run a hundred dollars.  In other words, unless there was an emergency, I was best to just keep my phone OFF. But for an entire week? I didn’t think that was feasibly or reasonable possible!
The best backup to a phone is the internet, right!?  There was an internet cafe, but it cost $18/hour.   Some of the buildings were said to have internet capabilities but we didn’t know where our room would be.  So, I took my computer just in case.

I was actually pretty worried about being without both my cell phone and the internet from an entire week.  I felt as if I’d be missing something and would be far removed from the rest of the world.  I feared that I might go temporarily insane.

The first day passed with my phone or internet.  I lived.  The second day passed.  I was still breathing.  Day 3 and 4 passed.  I was calm and more relaxed than ever.  I realized that as dependent as I am on that technology on a regular basis, being away from it for a week was a cleansing feeling.  I was able to concentrate on myself, my surroundings and the person I love.  I could thoroughly enjoy the beach, the sand, the ocean and all of Mexico.

Toward the end of day 4 I found an internet connection.  Hundreds of unread emails flooded my inboxes.  I deleted the non-essential ones, responded to less than five and then quickly turned off the computer.  And, not once did I use my cell phone.  I had been a prisoner of technology and realized life on the other side isn’t all that bad.

I am now back in the real world responding to my reality.  I have been reunited with my Iphone and all its guilty pleasures.  And, while I do know that technology will continue to be a part of my daily life, I can also further appreciate taking time to set them aside to concentrate and embrace my surroundings and the important things in life.

M.Y.  June 2009

What’s Your Story?

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“What’s Your Story?”

One of my best friends is known to ask people the above quote.  If you think about it, each of us has a story.  While on my trip, I was intrigued at the lives of the people I met.  First there was Mimi who I met on the van shuttle to the resort.  She’s a red haired painter from Chicago.  She has 10 weeks of timeshares at the Grand Mayan and has been going there for the past 12 years.  She’s loud, proud and knows everyone there.  She and her sister come for the first 4 weeks and the husbands are ‘allowed’ to join them for the rest.  I learned so much about the resort and town in that short ride.

I then met someone I’ll call “Stella”.  Our tables were next to each other for lunch.  She’s a fly sista who is going to permanently move to Puerta Vallarta when she retires next year.  She told me about her male friend that she met there in March who’d been helping her out since her most recent visit.  Then after we bonded while listening to the Toni Braxton CD in the background she felt she could share her secret.  The night before she went out with her friend’s friend to the club and somehow or another they ended up sleeping together.  Stella got her groove back – although now she regrets it.

Lastly, there was Tammy.  She and her husband waited next to me for the shuttle to the canopy tour.  Also with them were her father and his wife.  She didn’t grow up around him because her parents divorced when she was four.  His new wife (her stepmother) was only six months older than Tammy.  It was their first father/daughter vacation together.  After an hour drive to the site, Tammy felt I was now a part of their family and became a sister.  The sexy Mexican guides would tell me where my ‘family’ was when we got separated.

You never know when you’ll cross paths again with someone.  “Stella” and I exchanged numbers and she called the next day to see if we could get together.  (I told her I wanted an update).  Mimi was always nearby at the resort and continued to give great advice through the trip.  Tammy and I have emailed each other since returning to the states.  Life isn’t only about what you do, but it’s also about the impression you leave with others.  The next time you’re in an elevator or just standing next to someone, take the time to say HELLO.  You never know what their story might be or how they could affect your life!

M.Y.  November 2007

I Got Tore Up and the Police Came

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“I Got Tore Up and the Police Came”

I hate to admit it, but for the first time in my life I got tore up. As they say, “When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans do!”  It happened the day before I left, which didn’t make for a comfortable airplane ride home.  After a couple of days back here, I still felt bad so I decided to go to the doctor.  He looked at me and said, “Would you do it again?” I told him I’d do it in a heartbeat.  I then told him about being in the jungle and gliding down the chords hundreds of feet in the air on the canopy tour.  He looked closer at the bites that tore up my legs, arms and back. They itched profusely! He said, “I don’t know what exactly bit you, but it tore you up pretty good!”  He gave me some steroids and antibiotics and I was on my way.  (-;

I was thinking happy thoughts in the taxi ride on the way to the airport to come home.  Suddenly there are flashing lights and the driver pulls over. “La policia?” I ask.  “Si” says Mr. Taxi Driver.  Supposedly my guy had been trying to get rid of me a little bit too fast and was pulled over for speeding.  He pulls out his driver’s license for the cops.  Wow, his license was so faded.  You know when your child brings home a picture colored with markers that was wet in the rain?  It’s smeared beyond belief and all you see are blended colors?  Well, this was my guy’s license.  The cop looked at the license in disbelief and then went to his car to run a check.  When he returns he tells my driver that his license expired last year and he needs to step out of the car.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?  I just had a wonderful vacation and now I’m five minutes away from being featured on Spanish Cops. “Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do?” Where are Will Smith and Martin Lawrence when you need them? I started to get anxious. What would happen if he was arrested?  I didn’t want to miss my flight.  Should I hop out and try to get another taxi?  I thought about taking a picture of the situation.  Yeah, never mind, that’s not a good idea.  My driver left the car running with the keys in the ignition.  For a brief second I thought about driving myself to the airport. Luckily Yeager Ranger had a reality check: 1. I don’t know where I’m going.  2. Duh, the police are right behind me.

Mr. Taxi Driver returned about 10 minutes later with a rather lengthy speeding ticket.  He seemed embarrassed so I didn’t say much about it.  We arrived at the airport in plenty of time and the rest is history!!!

M.Y. October 2007

It’s a Small World

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“My Vacation – It’s A Small World After All”

I just returned from a short vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  I had a timeshare that I either had to use or lose, so for the first time in my life I went solo on a trip.  I HAD A BLAST!  I learned so many things about myself and others.  People at first were surprised that I was there alone, but after a short time they realized some of the benefits and were quick to ask me to join their group.  I can’t write everything this week, so it will be spread out.

The first thing I learned is that it’s a small world.  I was walking on the beach and came across a baby sea turtle.  He was crawling at fast as he could to make it back to the ocean.  I took a picture and then tried to hold him in my hand to assist his journey.  He, however, felt threatened and each time he was in my hand, he would quickly jump out.  A couple approached me and was curious as to what I’d found.  They asked where I was from and I proudly said, “Louisville, KY!”  Their face lit up as they said, “No way, we’re from Louisville also!”  They talked about their daughter that attended Manual and how they had just moved to another part of Mexico for a job transfer.  We laughed about the UL/UConn football game that had been on tv the night before (in Spanish, of course!)

We continued to run each other throughout my stay.  They arrived at the airport right before I left to go home.  The wife and I talked in depth and we gave each other a strong hug before I boarded my plane.  We probably never would have crossed paths here in Louisville, but started the beginning of a wonderful friendship miles away!

M.Y.  October 2007

Personal Getaway

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‘Personal Getaway’

Everyone should take a personal vacation….. by yourself!  I went to Scottsdale, AZ for a conference but arrived a day early to enjoy some ‘me time’.  The resort we stayed at was breathtaking.  I planned out my day doing things that I enjoy and find relaxing.  The day started with a three mile run (well maybe more of a run/walk) around the area.  I was able to enjoy the beautiful architecture and landscaping in the area.  Once I returned, I went to their gym and ‘pumped, pumped, pumped it up’. From there I changed clothes, threw on my bathing suit and headed toward the pool.  They had regular swimming pools, but they also had a lazy river.  This river floated around a path and people would float on an innertube around the entire area.  I reflected as I mozied around and enjoyed the sense of calmness that was around me.  By now it was only lunchtime so I ate a quick bite and took a short nap. At 3:00pm I arrived at the spa for a Rollerssage body massage that combines the elements of massage, heat and energy creating a balanced feeling of body, mind and spirit.  That was followed with a Smoothing Marine Body Masque.  I felt like a burrito – lathered with a masque and wrapped from shoulders to toes in foil.  Once it was washed off and the moisturizer applied my body was thanking me for existing.   My day ended walking a block to the outdoor shopping center.  Once I finished it was only 7:00pm AZ time (10pm our time) and I was exhausted.  I could barely stay awake to even find something to eat for dinner.  I ended the day with a new sense of being.  I was able to let go of some bad vibes around me.   I thought more about what I want to do in life and felt at peace.  If you have the time/funds to take a day for yourself…………. I say GO FOR IT!!!!

 

June 2007