Here's why:
1) Becky bought her ticket a bit after I did. Since she's flying out of SLC, it worked better for her to get to Cancun a day after the San Antonio group, and leave a day later as well. I was a bit bummed, and wished there was a way to stay the extra day to have more time to visit with her since we live 1,500 miles apart and all. Well, the other day I received an e-mail saying my flight had been changed. After speaking with a very helpful Indian customer service guy, he informed me that my connection in Mexico City on my return flight had been moved up and I would need to be on the flight from Cancun to Mexico City at 11:20 AM instead of the original 1:45 PM. He asked me if this was okay with me. I very politely told him that I actually was not very happy about it, that I had scheduled my flight in the afternoon for a reason, because I wanted to be able to spend the morning in Cancun, and that I was not pleased at my vacation being cut 2 1/2 hours short. (Hey, I really wasn't pleased. And I saw an opportunity to get a better deal out of the situation). As he attempted to think of a solution that would make me happy, I asked him if there was any way I could just leave a day later, so as to not cut my vacation short. He spoke with the airline, and promptly returned my call. "Yes ma'am, that is not a problem at all". Now I get to crash in Becky's already reserved 4 star resort and we have an extra day to spend at the beach. Thank-you vacation gods.
2) I have only been working at my current position for about 3 1/2 months. Therefore, I have only accrued about 3 days of paid time off (this of course played a large role in my decision to schedule my vacation so that I would only miss 3 days of work). I get paid while on vacation and at that time my PTO will be up to a little over 32 hours, or 4 work days... exactly what I need to cover my extra day at the beach with Becky. Thank-you vacation gods.
3) I have been fretting about the ever increasing costs of checking luggage. I was originally planning on just taking a carry-on sized suitcase and a backpack. It's only 5 days at the beach, no need to haul my entire closet to Mexico. But then I began to think of the complications. I need to bring sunscreen, aloe (because we are sure to get burnt), bug repellant, and 4 days at the beach makes a razor absolutely necessary. I could go out and buy lots of empty 2 oz. bottles and carefully funnel my liquids and gels, but there wasn't much I could do about bug repellant or a razor. And I certainly didn't want to spend my vacation time scouring Mexican grocery stores for silly toiletry items. As I resolved myself to the fact that we would all just have to split the cost of checking one bag and throw all of our deadly-airplane explosive-sunscreen bottles into one bag, I logged on to Mexican airlines to see how much they were going to charge. Upon investigation I discovered that economy class passengers are allowed one FREE checked bag. What? Really? What is this, the stone age? Moral of the story: Mexican airlines can have my business anytime they want. AND... the vacation gods STILL love me.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
3 White Girls with Hip Hop moves
So one of my new year's goals was to make time for exercise again. I know, I'm one of about a billion people who made that resolution. But I'm serious. It was really bothering me and I was becoming unhappy because I need physical activity to keep my life in balance. Thankfully, soon thereafter, my entire work place decided to pursue a similar goal. We suddenly have a "Biggest Loser" contest going (which I am not a part of), and a running group, which plans on running the Komen Race for the Cure this year. We are working out M-Th right after work at the 1/2 mile track near our office. This has been great because I feel safer running at night with a group, and it's directly after work so I don't have the temptation of getting home and not going back out. Well anyway, since it's been rainy and cold this week we have resorted to workout videos in the GED classroom after work. The only workout videos I've ever used are for pilates and yoga, which suits me because any sort of aerobics type activity that involves moving to a rhythm is far too complicated for me.
This is why hip hop abs was so fantastic. I hope you can tell from the cover how great it really was. Cheesy hairdos, cheesy ryhmes, and cheesy smiles. My favorite part was when our IT guy, John, joined us for the workout. In his work clothes.
The whole time I couldn't stop thinking of how great each move would be at the next Institute dance. Bring on that hip hop music, I will blow everyone away with my newly learned hip hop moves that are always carried out awkwardly and off beat. Maybe I'll even be like my boy Shaun T. here in the video and lift my shirt up a little bit and run my fingers over my almost-existant abs to explain how each move is contributing to my 6-pack. I think that would really bring in the dates. We're working out to the video again tonight. I'll let you know when I've learned to dance like Britney Spears and J-Lo. And when I have the body to prove it.
The whole time I couldn't stop thinking of how great each move would be at the next Institute dance. Bring on that hip hop music, I will blow everyone away with my newly learned hip hop moves that are always carried out awkwardly and off beat. Maybe I'll even be like my boy Shaun T. here in the video and lift my shirt up a little bit and run my fingers over my almost-existant abs to explain how each move is contributing to my 6-pack. I think that would really bring in the dates. We're working out to the video again tonight. I'll let you know when I've learned to dance like Britney Spears and J-Lo. And when I have the body to prove it.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Taking the Opportunity
1) I am taking the opportunity to utilize my blog. I'm going to take ya'll somewhere, and maybe I'll make next year's 2010 S&M awards. In that same spirit, I believe my blog design needs an overhaul and I don't know the first thing about creating cool blog designs. Any websites ya'll would recommend?
2) I have accepted the opportunity to be the Institute Council President for the San Antonio metro area. This is a regional calling and is a pretty huge deal apparently. Last year we ended enrollment with 480 institute students. With a new semester, we had to start all over. Last I checked we were up to 300, with a goal to get to 600 by the end of the semester. It's an intense calling that is actually a huge blessing. I had a rather large desire to serve a mission but finally got a firm "no" for an answer and was able to let it go and move forward. Soon after I got my "no", I received this calling which allows me to be a missionary constantly. We're making cold calls, I'm visiting different wards and meeting with leaders and getting referrals, my council and I put forth large efforts in fellowshipping and meeting new people each week... besides the fun missionary opportunity, I also get to direct the planning of large activities and have been honored with people referring to me as "President" in place of my first name. It's been rather fun and I look forward to continuing to spread the gospel among young single adults in the area!
3) I was just informed that a case manager position has opened up at work. As I have worked with these kids from the poorest area in the city, I have become extremely frustrated at times. We provide a great program here at Good Samaritan Community Services and it is a really great opportunity for these kids to get an education, get work experience, and receive much needed guidance that for the most part is absent in their homes. Well anyway, I get frustrated as I meet with kids who tell me they can't work because they would lose their Social Security benefits, or kids who take 4 years to get their GED, among lots of other annoying habits. I have developed a desire to have a greater role in their lives and have the opportunity to teach them rather than just provide basic employment support during their internships. For this reason, I have applied for the position and we'll see what happens. If I get the case manager position, I'll be able to have a greater positive influence in these kids' lives, AND get a $2 raise.
4) I took advantage of the opportunity to fly to Cancun for $261. I had been considering it for weeks and when my boyfriend of 2 months broke up with me, it was the last thing I needed to convince myself to take a vacation. I bought my ticket with the hopes that others would want to come to. It was meant to be, now I have 4 friends coming with me! The next 2 weeks can't go by fast enough! I'll be in Mexico February 25 - March1.
2) I have accepted the opportunity to be the Institute Council President for the San Antonio metro area. This is a regional calling and is a pretty huge deal apparently. Last year we ended enrollment with 480 institute students. With a new semester, we had to start all over. Last I checked we were up to 300, with a goal to get to 600 by the end of the semester. It's an intense calling that is actually a huge blessing. I had a rather large desire to serve a mission but finally got a firm "no" for an answer and was able to let it go and move forward. Soon after I got my "no", I received this calling which allows me to be a missionary constantly. We're making cold calls, I'm visiting different wards and meeting with leaders and getting referrals, my council and I put forth large efforts in fellowshipping and meeting new people each week... besides the fun missionary opportunity, I also get to direct the planning of large activities and have been honored with people referring to me as "President" in place of my first name. It's been rather fun and I look forward to continuing to spread the gospel among young single adults in the area!
3) I was just informed that a case manager position has opened up at work. As I have worked with these kids from the poorest area in the city, I have become extremely frustrated at times. We provide a great program here at Good Samaritan Community Services and it is a really great opportunity for these kids to get an education, get work experience, and receive much needed guidance that for the most part is absent in their homes. Well anyway, I get frustrated as I meet with kids who tell me they can't work because they would lose their Social Security benefits, or kids who take 4 years to get their GED, among lots of other annoying habits. I have developed a desire to have a greater role in their lives and have the opportunity to teach them rather than just provide basic employment support during their internships. For this reason, I have applied for the position and we'll see what happens. If I get the case manager position, I'll be able to have a greater positive influence in these kids' lives, AND get a $2 raise.
4) I took advantage of the opportunity to fly to Cancun for $261. I had been considering it for weeks and when my boyfriend of 2 months broke up with me, it was the last thing I needed to convince myself to take a vacation. I bought my ticket with the hopes that others would want to come to. It was meant to be, now I have 4 friends coming with me! The next 2 weeks can't go by fast enough! I'll be in Mexico February 25 - March1.
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