We're leaving tomorrow. We're gonna be a part of it. NEW YORK! NEEEW YOOOORK!! (Doesn't it make you want to kick in line like a Rockette?)
Noel and I are flying out tomorrow morning to New York City for four fabulous days. I have been twice before but never for this long. This trip will be Noel's first time there. He is very excited because he has always wanted to see The Big Apple. I originally planned this trip as a surprise for him, but he doesn't like to wait for surprises and bugged me until I told him what it was. He's so demanding!! hahaha
We will take a bus tour of Manhattan, walk through Central Park, visit the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, and dive into some wonderful ethnic cuisine that can only be found together in New York. The highlight of the trip will be the four Broadway shows we will attend. Tuesday evening will find us watching Mary Poppins; on Wednesday, we will see The Little Mermaid matinee and The Lion King evening performance. The last show Thursday evening will be a repeat performance of The Little Mermaid. Noel is a huge fan of the movie and wants to see the play twice while he has the opportunity. I am equally excited because I have seen a few Disney plays here in Raleigh and know how good they are.
I am sure there will be lots to tell when we return. I will do my best to take copious, detailed notes. Until I return...
Have a blessed day!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Noel
Tomorrow will be a good day. My best friend, Noel, will be arriving from Xalapa, Mexico, and I will be picking him up at the airport tomorrow evening. It's been almost a year since he and I have been together. We chat frequently on the computer, but it's not the same as being together in person. We met through a Christian pen pal website where I replied to his ad in February 2003. At the time, he was living in Puebla and working for Coca-Cola. A short time after we met, he moved back to Xalapa and began working for McDonald's as a restaurant manager trainee. We instantly made a connection and it has only grown as the time as passed.
After several weeks of emails and chats, he invited me to visit him in Xalapa. We agreed to meet in Mexico City and met in person for the first time in November 2003. When I exited the airport terminal, I found myself facing a sea of Mexicans. I had seen pictures of him but wasn't sure how I would find him in such a large crowd. Thankfully, he saw me first from his position in the back of the crowd and walked away from the crowd to get my attention. I was easy to spot since I was the only "gringo" exiting the airport doors. From the moment we met, it was like we had been friends for years. We immdiately started talking and began a lifetime journey of friendship.
Since that time, we have spent many great moments together. There are many memories welling up inside me now...
1) Our time at Catemaco and Salto de Eyipantla. I saw my first Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) here and quickly found out that Noel would have no interest in watching birds! (I keep trying!)
2) My first Coatepec-style hotdog and his first Carolina-style hotdog.
3) Walking around Juárez Park and drinking cappuccinos at the Italian Coffee House.
4) Attending Carnival in Veracruz and sitting out in gale-force winds waiting for the next parade to start only to find out after 2 hours that it had been canceled because of the wind!
5) Exploring Acuario de Veracruz
6) Going to the North Carolina State Fair together
7) Having fun at Disneyworld and visiting Ariel at least once a day.
8) Visiting Zempoala and imagining what it was like there while Noel wished he was somewhere else! He doesn't like history! :-)
9) Eating lots of wonderful Mexican food!! My mouth is watering right now for taquitos, esquites, chilaquiles, arracheras, and tacos al pastor!
Each of these moments has allowed us to get to know each other in several different scenarios and has made our friendship that much stronger.
Noel is a very special person. He makes me laugh, and I feel very welcome in his company. He works hard in all he does whether for McDonald's (He's a supervisor with four restaurants now!) or sleeping or looking out for his gringo friend in a foreign country. We are also very different from each other in some ways. He is always in a rush, worries about many things, and doesn't like to be outside of the city limits for very long (He's a city-boy through and through!). I, on the other hand, don't rush, rarely worry about anything and relish being out in the country. I think these qualities make us perfect friends. We mesh with each other in a very complimentary way.
Welcome back to North Carolina, my friend. I am sure we will have a wonderful time together. Get plenty of rest and relaxation and return to Mexico a new man.
After several weeks of emails and chats, he invited me to visit him in Xalapa. We agreed to meet in Mexico City and met in person for the first time in November 2003. When I exited the airport terminal, I found myself facing a sea of Mexicans. I had seen pictures of him but wasn't sure how I would find him in such a large crowd. Thankfully, he saw me first from his position in the back of the crowd and walked away from the crowd to get my attention. I was easy to spot since I was the only "gringo" exiting the airport doors. From the moment we met, it was like we had been friends for years. We immdiately started talking and began a lifetime journey of friendship.
Since that time, we have spent many great moments together. There are many memories welling up inside me now...
1) Our time at Catemaco and Salto de Eyipantla. I saw my first Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) here and quickly found out that Noel would have no interest in watching birds! (I keep trying!)
2) My first Coatepec-style hotdog and his first Carolina-style hotdog.
3) Walking around Juárez Park and drinking cappuccinos at the Italian Coffee House.
4) Attending Carnival in Veracruz and sitting out in gale-force winds waiting for the next parade to start only to find out after 2 hours that it had been canceled because of the wind!
5) Exploring Acuario de Veracruz
6) Going to the North Carolina State Fair together
7) Having fun at Disneyworld and visiting Ariel at least once a day.
8) Visiting Zempoala and imagining what it was like there while Noel wished he was somewhere else! He doesn't like history! :-)
9) Eating lots of wonderful Mexican food!! My mouth is watering right now for taquitos, esquites, chilaquiles, arracheras, and tacos al pastor!
Each of these moments has allowed us to get to know each other in several different scenarios and has made our friendship that much stronger.
Noel is a very special person. He makes me laugh, and I feel very welcome in his company. He works hard in all he does whether for McDonald's (He's a supervisor with four restaurants now!) or sleeping or looking out for his gringo friend in a foreign country. We are also very different from each other in some ways. He is always in a rush, worries about many things, and doesn't like to be outside of the city limits for very long (He's a city-boy through and through!). I, on the other hand, don't rush, rarely worry about anything and relish being out in the country. I think these qualities make us perfect friends. We mesh with each other in a very complimentary way.
Welcome back to North Carolina, my friend. I am sure we will have a wonderful time together. Get plenty of rest and relaxation and return to Mexico a new man.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Seven About Me
One of the blogs I read posted this list about her and I thought I would do the same for my blog. It's a list of seven topics of my personality, each with seven thoughts underneath. Is this National Get-to-know-me Month? :-)
Seven Things I Love:
1) Chocolate
2) Music
3) Travel
4) My family
5) Cheesecake
6) A good novel
7) To learn
Seven Pet Peeves
1) Stupidity
2) Bad grammar/spelling
3) Obnoxiousness
4) Non-drivers
5) Whiny people
6) Machismo
7) Fake people
Seven Things I Can't Do
1) Use tools efficiently
2) Paint/draw
3) Back a trailer
4) Play sports
5) Work with wood
6) Decorate tastefully
7) Out-talk my sister and niece
Seven Things I Can Do
1) Play piano
2) Use sarcasm to the hilt
3) Spout off "useless" information
4) Laugh at myself
5) Cook/bake
6) Research
7) Educate the masses
Seven Characteristics I Want To Have
1) True happiness
2) Love
3) Humor
4) Contentedness
5) Christ-likeness
6) Peacefulness
7) Patience
Seven Things I Can't Live Without
1) Bible
2) Laughter
3) Music
4) Computer
5) Good friends
6) Open space
7) My family
Seven Things You Might Hear Me Say
1) Hellooooooo????!!!!!
2) Sientete, por favor.
3) Don't let the door knob hit you where the Good Lord split you.
4) Build a bridge.
5) Raising parents is tough these days.
6) He/she must bathe in Crisco...they are too flaky.
7) Girrrllll....don't make me take you out!
Now you know a little more of who I am. Until next time...
Have a blessed day.
Seven Things I Love:
1) Chocolate
2) Music
3) Travel
4) My family
5) Cheesecake
6) A good novel
7) To learn
Seven Pet Peeves
1) Stupidity
2) Bad grammar/spelling
3) Obnoxiousness
4) Non-drivers
5) Whiny people
6) Machismo
7) Fake people
Seven Things I Can't Do
1) Use tools efficiently
2) Paint/draw
3) Back a trailer
4) Play sports
5) Work with wood
6) Decorate tastefully
7) Out-talk my sister and niece
Seven Things I Can Do
1) Play piano
2) Use sarcasm to the hilt
3) Spout off "useless" information
4) Laugh at myself
5) Cook/bake
6) Research
7) Educate the masses
Seven Characteristics I Want To Have
1) True happiness
2) Love
3) Humor
4) Contentedness
5) Christ-likeness
6) Peacefulness
7) Patience
Seven Things I Can't Live Without
1) Bible
2) Laughter
3) Music
4) Computer
5) Good friends
6) Open space
7) My family
Seven Things You Might Hear Me Say
1) Hellooooooo????!!!!!
2) Sientete, por favor.
3) Don't let the door knob hit you where the Good Lord split you.
4) Build a bridge.
5) Raising parents is tough these days.
6) He/she must bathe in Crisco...they are too flaky.
7) Girrrllll....don't make me take you out!
Now you know a little more of who I am. Until next time...
Have a blessed day.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ponderables
"Ponderables" are small thoughts that come into your head and make you go "hmmmm". Most of the time they arrive unbidden and usually don't last very long, but they do leave an impression. Today's blog contains some of my most recent ponderables...
1) With the price of gas as high as it is, why do people that live in the same house and go to the same destination at the same time drive separate cars? Why do people drive short distances that they could certainly walk without using gas? Why do people sit in their cars for lunch while the engine is running because they don't want to be too hot or too cold? Not only do these actions waste gas, but they cause these people to have to spend more money to replenish their tanks. They are usually the ones that complain the loudest and most frequent about high prices. Hmmmmm.
2) Where do people learn how to speak? I'm not referring to the many different American English accents that enrich our land but rather to how people incorrectly pronounce certain words consistantly. Following are several examples that I hear frequently...
1) With the price of gas as high as it is, why do people that live in the same house and go to the same destination at the same time drive separate cars? Why do people drive short distances that they could certainly walk without using gas? Why do people sit in their cars for lunch while the engine is running because they don't want to be too hot or too cold? Not only do these actions waste gas, but they cause these people to have to spend more money to replenish their tanks. They are usually the ones that complain the loudest and most frequent about high prices. Hmmmmm.
2) Where do people learn how to speak? I'm not referring to the many different American English accents that enrich our land but rather to how people incorrectly pronounce certain words consistantly. Following are several examples that I hear frequently...
a) "Could you be more 'pacific'?" Isn't that an ocean?
b) "Turn the 'sternin' wheel." What is 'sternin'?
c) "That's 'twicet' I've had to do that" Where did the "T" come from?
d) "Did you have to disect any 'orgasms'? Any what????
e) "He's having 'prostrate' trouble." Is that like sleep apnea?
Hmmmmm.
3) Why do people that never cook nor have any desire to cook have a kitchen in their houses? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to have a small pantry and enough space for a refrigerator? Hmmmm.
There are several more that I could include, but I will save them for another entry. Until next time...
Have a blessed day!
b) "Turn the 'sternin' wheel." What is 'sternin'?
c) "That's 'twicet' I've had to do that" Where did the "T" come from?
d) "Did you have to disect any 'orgasms'? Any what????
e) "He's having 'prostrate' trouble." Is that like sleep apnea?
Hmmmmm.
3) Why do people that never cook nor have any desire to cook have a kitchen in their houses? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to have a small pantry and enough space for a refrigerator? Hmmmm.
There are several more that I could include, but I will save them for another entry. Until next time...
Have a blessed day!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Labor Week
Labor Day is a day off for most people. The following week is therefore shorter and most people heartily look forward to the break in their hectic schedules. For Labor Day 2008, I was no exception. What I didn't know was that the rest of the week would definitely make up for the labor "lost" on Monday.
Tuesday morning dawned bright with the promise of a wonderful day. However, by 8:30, they day had clouded over and I was inundated with a storm of phone calls and paper work. All day long I battled the elements, and at times it looked as if my chair was caught in a whirlwind. The end of the day finally arrived, and I was able to leave with my work finished for the day and my desk cleaned and waiting for a new day.
Wednesday morning arrived and quickly went downhill. I tried to open a document only to discover that it wouldn't open. Upon contacting the IT department for a little support, it was discovered that my computer was infected with the virus that had been plaguing the campus for a few weeks. I was immediately instructed to unplug the cable from the port and that the PC guru would come for my computer shortly. True to his word, he arrived not long after the call and whisked my computer away for the exorcism. Now I was computer-less. For the rest of the day, I was forced to rely on my phone for orders or wait till someone else wasn't using their computer and sneak in to accomplish a few quick orders. It was a challenge I was able to successfully negotiate. Later in the day, I was given a new computer because the other one was outdated. I rejoiced because I was ready to finish the day and having my own computer would make it easier. Alas, it was not meant to end easily. When they gave me the new one, one program I had on there for doing most of my work wouldn't function. I called technical support again. The guy was new and didn't know how to fix my problem. He ended up having someone else talk him though it. Unfortunately, they turned the program into something that was not what I required. I decided to finish the day with what I had and leave.
Thursday morning started off with the leftover problem from Wednesday. I spent the first two hours of the day with a partially handicapped computer on the phone trying to get it working properly. After all was said and done, the reason for the the failure was a low connection speed! That was it!! Once it was connected at the correct speed, I was in business. For the rest of the day, I had to play "catch-up". However, the day ended nicely.
Friday was the day when Tropical Storm Hanna came knocking. The morning was spent calling the stores to let them know the trucks would leave early. The rest of the day was normal until after lunch. When the early cut-off for special orders arrived, we still had people calling in trying to order parts. Don't you just love how people do that? "Yeah, I know there's a cut-off, but I really need this part. Can't you just bend the rules for me???" Not on my watch! I just love customer service! :-)
Today was a nice break from the short week! I was able to attend a few hours of the International Festival in Raleigh. I just love trying new food!!! I was able to eat Ukrainian varenyky (potato dumplings), Swedish meatballs, Turkish baklava and coffee (strong!), French crépe, and Nepalese momo (turkey dumplings). I wanted to try more from the other cuisines, but didn't have enough time nor belly room. All of the food was fantastic! We also saw different cultural items and several dances. The most raucous were the Iranians and Palestinians. Who knew they could bring down the house? For a moment, I thought I was at an American rock concert! I enjoyed all of the dancing except for the Argentine tango. The couples lacked the passion and fire that I know the dance to have. All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
Have a blessed day!
Tuesday morning dawned bright with the promise of a wonderful day. However, by 8:30, they day had clouded over and I was inundated with a storm of phone calls and paper work. All day long I battled the elements, and at times it looked as if my chair was caught in a whirlwind. The end of the day finally arrived, and I was able to leave with my work finished for the day and my desk cleaned and waiting for a new day.
Wednesday morning arrived and quickly went downhill. I tried to open a document only to discover that it wouldn't open. Upon contacting the IT department for a little support, it was discovered that my computer was infected with the virus that had been plaguing the campus for a few weeks. I was immediately instructed to unplug the cable from the port and that the PC guru would come for my computer shortly. True to his word, he arrived not long after the call and whisked my computer away for the exorcism. Now I was computer-less. For the rest of the day, I was forced to rely on my phone for orders or wait till someone else wasn't using their computer and sneak in to accomplish a few quick orders. It was a challenge I was able to successfully negotiate. Later in the day, I was given a new computer because the other one was outdated. I rejoiced because I was ready to finish the day and having my own computer would make it easier. Alas, it was not meant to end easily. When they gave me the new one, one program I had on there for doing most of my work wouldn't function. I called technical support again. The guy was new and didn't know how to fix my problem. He ended up having someone else talk him though it. Unfortunately, they turned the program into something that was not what I required. I decided to finish the day with what I had and leave.
Thursday morning started off with the leftover problem from Wednesday. I spent the first two hours of the day with a partially handicapped computer on the phone trying to get it working properly. After all was said and done, the reason for the the failure was a low connection speed! That was it!! Once it was connected at the correct speed, I was in business. For the rest of the day, I had to play "catch-up". However, the day ended nicely.
Friday was the day when Tropical Storm Hanna came knocking. The morning was spent calling the stores to let them know the trucks would leave early. The rest of the day was normal until after lunch. When the early cut-off for special orders arrived, we still had people calling in trying to order parts. Don't you just love how people do that? "Yeah, I know there's a cut-off, but I really need this part. Can't you just bend the rules for me???" Not on my watch! I just love customer service! :-)
Today was a nice break from the short week! I was able to attend a few hours of the International Festival in Raleigh. I just love trying new food!!! I was able to eat Ukrainian varenyky (potato dumplings), Swedish meatballs, Turkish baklava and coffee (strong!), French crépe, and Nepalese momo (turkey dumplings). I wanted to try more from the other cuisines, but didn't have enough time nor belly room. All of the food was fantastic! We also saw different cultural items and several dances. The most raucous were the Iranians and Palestinians. Who knew they could bring down the house? For a moment, I thought I was at an American rock concert! I enjoyed all of the dancing except for the Argentine tango. The couples lacked the passion and fire that I know the dance to have. All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
Have a blessed day!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tagged!!!!!
Don't you just love family? My sister has tagged me to list 6 unique traits about me. Oh well! It's all for fun, so here it goes:
1) Don't you dare borrow a book from me and bring it back in worse shape then when it left me. There will be consequences.
2) Traveling anywhere in the world makes me very happy.
3) I could dive into the middle of a genuine (Not that in-a-box fake dessert!) cheesecake everyday of the week.
4) I collect the names of birds and mammals in all languages of the world I can find.
5) Mexico is my favorite foreign country. Why you say? The food, the scenery, and my best friend, Noel.
6) My favorite bird is a crane and my favorite mammal is an elephant.
Well, there you have it. Alas, the blogs I read are also the ones my sister reads. I have no one else to tag. But hey, don't cry for me; I still had fun.
Have a blessed day!
2) Traveling anywhere in the world makes me very happy.
3) I could dive into the middle of a genuine (Not that in-a-box fake dessert!) cheesecake everyday of the week.
4) I collect the names of birds and mammals in all languages of the world I can find.
5) Mexico is my favorite foreign country. Why you say? The food, the scenery, and my best friend, Noel.
6) My favorite bird is a crane and my favorite mammal is an elephant.
Well, there you have it. Alas, the blogs I read are also the ones my sister reads. I have no one else to tag. But hey, don't cry for me; I still had fun.
Have a blessed day!
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