Milkshakes and Cigars anyone?

On Saturday night Annie & Kev came over for ice cream and board games. Now that may seem a little old-fashioned, but it is actually a whole lot of fun. Especially if you have the right people around to share in the fun. First though, we decided to head over to Dewars, a locally founded and incredibly popular, ice cream parlor which is still decorated in the oh-so-cute 1950's decor. Tony and I shared the banana split, and it was delicious!
On our way to Dewars, Kevin had another craving; cigars. For the life of me I can NOT understand as to why anyone in their right mind would enjoy a cigar. To me they smell like horse manure, and when cigars are lit, the essence de poo surrounds everything in the environment around them. I really don't mind pipe tobacco though, actually, I kind-of like it. Any time I smell it, I think of the marina called Pelican Harbor up in Sausalito, and the old captain who lived on his boat up the docks from Ray's boat. Anytime I would sit on the docks in the evening watching the sun set over the bay, the smell of cherry or vanilla pipe tobacco would waft through the air and always made me feel so peaceful. But when it comes to cigars, I just don't understand. It must be a guy thing. So, after we finished our ice cream and playing our board game, to my chagrin, Tony and Kevin decided to partake in an evening smoke and game of darts on the patio. Every time I walked outside, the smell practically knocked me down! I never thought of Tony as the cigar smoking type, and I think he actually liked it because he said "I could get used to this". Boo!
If he decides he wants to be a social cigar smoker, I think each time he has one he may have to sleep in the hammock outside. I just can't stand the smell!

A look back... Summer 2008

Alas...Summer vacation is almost over. I will miss the free time in which I was able to lounge around and watch my favorite daytime shows on HGTV, pop into work whenever I felt, and all in all just relax. Not that I did too much relaxing this summer. I consider relaxing a time when I can just sleep until whenever I want, read by myself in the comforts of my choosing, and not having to work. But being my overly committed self, I like to keep busy and give myself no real time to actually just relax. I was incredibly busy this summer with lots of traveling, rehearsals, and work.
I was blessed with the ability to travel abroad to Portugal this summer and spent almost two weeks soaking up the culture. It was absolutely amazing. I have to say, I really love their mode of living. It seems everything in Europe has a much slower pace. People take the time to enjoy their meals, they walk almost everywhere, and really enjoy their wine.
We were also able visit my sister and our cousins on Tony's side in San Diego, it was really nice to see them. I don't get to see my sis very often and it is always a treat to see what she is up to. We visited her favorite "watering hole" called the Starlight, which is decorated in a throwback to the 1950's. Really cute.
I also went on a mini-vaca with Samwise to the town of Cambria on the coast and we enjoyed shopping, walking on the beach, and I took her on her first tour of Hearst Castle, which happens to be one of my very favorite places in California. The art collection Hearst had obtained is wonderful and I will proudly admit I have done almost every tour just to see the collection!
To end our summer, we went to the annual family reunion and it was ridiculously hot. The temperature felt like 105 degrees in the shade. Not to mention there was no breeze so it was a still heat. Tony did invest in a couple of water-guns and very graciously and elegantly doused me with ice water. (How thoughtful of him!) It was nice to hang out with family though, I hate only seeing some of them only once a year. Tony even bought me a new bathing suit because I forgot to pack one and because it was so hot, a dip in the pool was much needed.
All in all I had a very memorable summer. I love traveling, and I am looking forward to where the wind takes us next summer. But for now I will just look forward to my last year at the University and all of the homework that is awaiting my arrival.

Pee-pee Soaked Heck Hole

So I hurt my back. I'm not sure how, but I did. I have started taking Tap dance classes recently because I want to audition for our upcoming show "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and I think that may be a severe agitator. That really bums me out because it is so much fun! I went to the doctor this morning and was prescribed an extreme amount of Ibuprofen, 800 mg to be exact. She also told me to do a few stretches, and take it easy. I was only taking half of that amount to ease the pain at home, but that was not strong enough. I am very wary when taking pain killers, or any drug for that matter, because I am very afraid of the side affects and possible addictions. So far I have only taken 1 Ibuprofen, but it did make me pretty drowsy and now I am not sure I am going to make it in to work. (SIGH! I really hate feeling this way!) I am sitting comfortably on the couch though, Elle is laying on the floor next to me keeping me company, and Tony has his music on the stereo. Hey, at least my back is not hurting at the moment.