This is Probably A Bad Idea

I've been thinking about doing this post for awhile-- sort of arguing with myself about it, to be honest. But I've decided that Katie might need some cheering up today...and so I am just going to quit putting it off and just put it out there......

What am I rambling about, you ask? Well-- I think I have covered my need for deadlines multiple times on this blog (look no further than my "post every day attempts" for proof). I have also mentioned more than once that I have started a ton of books/stories over the years that I never, ever finish. And finally-- as anyone who reads the comments on this blog (and if you had access to my emails and/or phone conversations) knows that Katie is one of my biggest "supporters" (or "naggers" depending on my mood) when it comes to getting me to write.

So combine all these things and what do you get? Well-- you get me deciding in December to announce what I am going to TRY and give Katie for her birthday in May. And I figure if I announce it here, then that means I sort of really have to do it. And what is "it" that I am going to have to do?

I am going to write and COMPLETE a book for Katie for her birthday. It is likely not going to be very good or will probably not be seen by anyone but her (and maybe Laurie if I rope her into editing for me).....but I'm putting this out there so I can't back out.

So there you go. I now have to actually finish something and I have until May 18th to do it.

Eeek.

Tag From Katie

I've been tagged by Katie to post 5 things about myself that you may not know. Since I tend to overshare in everyday life, I'm going to have to get a little obscure......


1. I have recently decided to try washing my hair once a week.

2. There are three songs I obsessively listen to in my car:
*The Story by Brandi Carlisle
*Fell in Love Without You (Acoustic) by Motion City Soundtrack
*Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event

3. I am in love with my new down comforter.

4. I have checked out approximately 30 books from the library this month....which is more than the past 3 years combined.

5. I have a large stash of toothbrushes I've taken from hotels all across China.

Question of the Day (with Bonus Answer!)

Question:

How do you know your gym time isn't as effective as you'd like?


Answer:

The cashier at Akins assumes you are buying powdered Vitamin C as a part of a diet plan.

The Story

Two girls pull into the parking lot of a gas station

Me: Ok, you wait here while I run in and get cash

Mandy: (already reading her book and ignoring me)

Me: (Locks the door and gets out of the car)

5 minutes later

Me: (Taps on the window)

Mandy: (Unlocks the door)

Me: (Getting in the car) "What's the noise?"

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Looks around) "Is that my car? What is that?"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Uh, your alarm?!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONNNKKKKK

Me: "I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Uh, apparently you do."

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: "I don't know how to shut it off!" (pushing every button I can think of)

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Decides the best thing to do is start the car and drive off with alarm blazing, cause really-- I'm sure DRIVING OFF will make the alarm shut off, right?) "Make it stop!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: .........

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Pulls the car back over around the corner from the gas station) "Get the manual out! Does the manual say anything about how to shut it up??"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Give me your keys!"

Car: HONK HONK HO....

Me: "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

Mandy: "I don't know. I pushed a button"


Moral of this story? Still don't know what turned it on and still don't know what turned it off. Good times for all!

Surprise!

My car apparently has an alarm I didn't know about. Wanna know how I found out?

Pop Quiz

Which item is more dangerous for the visitors to the White House?

Random Thought of the Evening

You know what I don't appreciate? A workout machine that has "Are you enjoying your workout?" pop up on the screen every 5 minutes or so. You and I both know that you don't care if I'm enjoying my workout, machine, so just stick to telling me who much longer it is until I can get off and how many calories I've burned and we'll call it good.

Lesson Learned

Sometimes it isn't about the message-- just the messenger.

Sisterly Love

So, I am breaking my silence to answer my tag from Katie. I was supposed to post the 6th picture from the 6th folder of my photos. Because of the way I have my pictures done, that was easier asked than actually done. This is as close as I can get.

Happy Birthday Andrea!

This one is for you (and only you will understand it!)

An Important Update

I know that many of you can't wait for me to go to Hong Kong for the sole reason that you are in desperate need of an update on the status of the breakfast buffet at the JW Marriott. Throughout past trips, you have heard my complaints about the status of their bacon (it was gross) amongst other things.

Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the breakfast buffet underwent a little bit of a makeover (very disconcerting my first morning down-- totally interfered with my usual routine)-- but it did result in (drum roll please)......better bacon!

Sadly, though, this better bacon has come at a high cost. The bad news is this: they have DROPPED both the peanut butter AND the Nutella from the buffet. How is a girl supposed to have her peanut butter and nutella toast with slivered almonds on top without 2 of the 4 ingredients?? They finally dug up some peanut butter for me (apparently the smoothie guy had a stash) but, really...it got a little old having to ask for it EVERY morning.

I wonder if any of this has to do with why Mandy has started calling me "princess" on this trip. Personally I don't see the connection-- but whatever. (It probably doesn't help my case that I noticed on check in that they had hand written "SOFT MATTRESS!!" on the bottom of my paperwork......)

Questions and Answers

Q- How do you know you might be in trouble on a late night taxi ride from the airport?

A- Your Chinese coworker calls ahead to the hotel you are traveling towards to give them your names and the approximate time your drive should take just in case you never show up.



Q- If you are staying at a Best Western in the far East, is it still a Best Western?

A- Yes, apparently so.



Q- Did China's clean air initiative for the Olympics last past the big event?

A- No, apparently not.

The Test

Today I found myself being thoroughly tested on the very thing I posted about not too long ago-- not assuming that people are judging you when they stare and/or frown at you. And I know I said I was going to stop presuming that I know what everyone around me is thinking-- but let me ask you this: If a group of hot, Italian men in designer jeans and loafers that at least 12 baby alligators had to die for are staring at you....what is easier to assume?

A) That they are entranced by your sexy limp as you walk own the aisle at the jewelry show

or

B) That they are JUDGING your Payless mary-janes (that gave you the blister causing the aforementioned sexy limp) and Target skirt that is now going on 3 years old (and is growing more grey than black) as you walk down the aisle at the jewelry show

15 Hours in Coach Analysis

1. When United says "economy" they mean "You better be 5'2" and 95lbs if you want to sit comfortably in our seats"

2. I'm hoping to regain feeling in my knees again shortly

3. Note to the weird woman in front of me who had her airline blanket OVER HER HEAD for most of the flight: You don't have your seat fully reclined at all times-- if you are eating and or not even actually in your seat for periods of time, the polite thing to do is to sit your seat up so some of us can try and shift our wedged in positions a little.

4. Note to the weird middle aged Chinese man sitting next to the blanket head woman: taking a picture of yourself with a flash on a dark plane can be excused the first time. Sitting there repeatedly taking pictures of yourself so that the plane cabin starts to resemble a dance club in Athens is annoying. Sitting there gazing fixedly at the 20 pictures you have taken of yourself in your seat is just creepy.

5. As a general rule, tray tables should not be used as a trampoline to occupy 2 year olds.

an experiment

so I am trying to update from the chicago airport on my new iPod... The typing is kind of slow going though so I do not think this will be a regular occurance unless I become more adept with this keypad. I also seem to have issues with capitilization at will. The flight to hong kong is in about an hour and a half....can't wait! (yes that is airport sarcasm.

Just Wondering

Does anyone else consistently have people in stores or other public places come up to them and say things like "Oh, smile! It can't be that bad!" or "Cheer up!" or "Having a bad day?" when you don't even know that you are frowning?

Apparently, I am quite the scowler.

A Bunch of Theoretical Mumbo Jumbo

I've been thinking a lot lately about how rarely we really know what other people are thinking. For some of you, that might not be a new thought-- but to be perfectly honest-- I tend to give myself a little too much credit in that area. I like to think that I have an intuition about what people are thinking and feeling. But really, I'm not so sure why I think that. And short of someone coming up and actually TELLING you their thoughts and feelings-- you can never really know if you are right or not.

So what does this mean and why am I thinking about something that is probably obvious to everyone else? Well-- many women spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think about them. They waste countless hours feeling self-conscious. But really, if you can never truly know what other people are thinking-- then all we are really doing is projecting our own thoughts onto other people. So basically all we are doing is worrying about nothing more than a bunch of hypotheticals. And if you are going to assume that someone is thinking something about you-- why not just assume they are thinking something awesome?

For example, a woman you don't know frowns at you? Assume she's disturbed by her own jealous reaction to your super cute new pants.

A guy you know ignores you when you try to say hi? Assume he's intimidated by your intelligence.

Now-- I do feel the need to give a disclaimer here. If these thoughts occur to you naturally, if you are wondering why anyone wouldn't think these things in the first place-- then these rules are not for you.

My Favorite Honduras Pictures

The courtyard where we ate breakfast every morning.





The view out the front door of our room






The ultimate store. The name says it all.





Yes, I am just this childish.








When your father volunteers your services to help teach children for 2 hours-- and you don't speak Spanish and they don't speak English-- there is always one sure fire way to entertain: get out the digital camera. Some things are universal.

Hi Grandma!

So I have it on good authority that my grandmother is tired of looking at the word "Surprise!" on my blog......this seemed like a good thing to change it to.

I'd also like to point out that my Grandmother is not the only disatisfied reader. Anyone else see Katie's last comment?

katie said...
Okay, Sarah....do we need to implement a required number of posts rule??

And I must confess this made me laugh.

Surprise!

So color me surprised to find out the hotel has internet! We arrived safely yesterday-- and I even got to ride in first class from Houston to Tegucigalpa thanks to the generosity of my Dad's friend that met us for the flight. He'd been upgraded-- but gave his first class seat to me!

Yesterday was a loooong day but a good one. I think the rest of the "week" here is going to be very interesting. Here's to hoping that Gustav doesn't make it a little difficult to come home!!

I don't have anything terribly interesting to report or the time to time it anyway right now, but I did work on a blog post last night during the Spanish meeting I couldn't understand a word of. (That's not rude, right? I just looked like I was taking notes)