Once Upon a Time

On an island far far away. . .
a lil story of how 2 New Yorkers spent Memorial Day weekend in Paradise.

Thursday, May 21st
6:30am - Cab! Running on approximately 6 hours of sleep in the past few nights. Work has been pure insanity. Slightly delirious. Unsure if everything made it into this super-small suitcase. But absolutely sure of the American Idol winner. Best. Finale. Ever.

7:00am - First lesson in international travel: Ticket reservation must be in the same name as passport in order to use quick-printing ticket kiosks. I usually book my fights as Lauren, apparently this morning it would have been in my best interest to be Peggy. Commence 30-minute wait at ticket counter line. Ugh.

9:30am - Bahamas Bound!

3:30pm - Reunited with Big Apple Angie at our fabulous oceanfront resort. Seriously, Sheraton Nassau = Awesome. I highly recommend.
"Let's go for a walk on the beach. Don't you want to change clothes?"
LJ looks down at white skinny jeans and tank "What? I'm fine. I'm beachy."
"No. Might as well get used to wearing your swim suit with everything. We're in the Bahamas. I just wore mine on a plane!"

Better in the Bahamas Rule #1: Always wear your swim suit. With everything. Because it's the beach.

10:00pm - Jacuzzi-ing
"It's raining. It's raining. Ang, it's raining."
Blank stare from BAA, since you know, we're in a tub full of water and everything.
"What? I just wanted you to know."

"Odd that these jets come from the seat instead of the wall?"
"Yeah, kind of a strange sensation..."

"I thought, 'me and Angie require tunes!' So I brought travel iPod speakers for jam sessions. Aren't you glad you travel with me?"
"Yessssss"

Friday, May 22nd
8:30am - Cardio-ing
"I read somewhere that crunches and lunges tighten up your muscles fast. Bikini all day means cardio and crunches. GO!"
"Fine, fine. I will do crunches. But I'm not sure about your logic..."

"Ok, I actually am pretty glad we worked out this morning."

10:30am - Side of the road
"Are you the number 10 bus? We're going downtown!"
"Downtown? Alright, get in."
"Do we pay you when we get out?"
"If you want to."

11:30am - Atlantis, Paradise Island
"2 day-passes for Angie Orth?"
"Oh yes, complimentary. Here's your map - through the village, the casino, here are the aquariums, lockers, water slides, rapids, beaches here and here. Wait till you get inside, you'll just love it."
Smiles from LJ and BAA. Trying to hold it together. Professionals after all. Totally normal to be getting into Atlantis for free...
"Oh thank you, I'm sure we will."
Once outside the door...."Ohmygggggggggg!!!!!" Squeals, Giggles, More Squeals, etc. Ohsogrownup.

12:00pm - Barely into the Atlantis Waterpark
"Ang, it's perfect! It's amazing! Look how gorgeous! It's magical!"
"I knew you were the perfect person to come on this trip, you're cracking me up!"
"Oh come on, this place is fab! Don't tell me you're not loving this?! Smile for my pics!"

"Excuse me, what are you drinking?"
LJ: "Umm, deliciousness!"
BAA: "Miami Vice...Pena Colada + Strawberry Daiquiri. You should definitely get one."

Better in the Bahamas Rule #2: Tropical fruity drinks are non-negotiable. Get one immediately.

This is where we lose all track of time. For the remainder of the trip, no idea what time it is or exactly what day it is. This is officially Vacation.

"We totally crashed as soon as we sat down on those beach chairs! How did that happen?!"
"That's what happens when New Yorkers actually sit down and rest. They just pass out!"

Predator Lagoon. This Happened. Sharks and Sting Rays and Barracudas, oh my!

"We just ate 3 different kinds of conch at dinner! Conch salad, conch fritters, cracked conch."
"Totally ok, I'm now as obsessed with conch as you are!"

Better in the Bahamas Rule #3: Eat conch! Lots of it! In every prepared form. You'll regret it if you don't.

"Um, just me, or is everyone in the Casino staring at us? Do we look like hookers? What's the deal?"
"Wow, this isn't awkward at all. Perhaps we should have opted for sweatpants and flip-flops instead of heels."

Old guy at the bar: "So where are you from?"
"New York"
"New York! I used to live in Albany. For a month."
huh? and later...
"Would you care to dance?"
"Dance to Can you feel the love Tonight? Um, no thank you?"

"DANCING QUEEN! We are so singing this and jumping on the bed when we get back to our room!"
"Best idea we've had all night!"

Better in the Bahamas Rule #4: When your super-cute heels hurt your feet, bail on the lame guys at the bar and jump on your hotel bed while singing ABBA.

Saturday, May 23rd

"I was so careful not to wake you up before now so that you wouldn't make me go work out!"
"Angie!! Now we don't have enough time!"
"I know, hah!"

"Here are your towels beautiful ladies."
"Have you noticed that all the Bahamians keep calling us beautiful?"

"Well, maybe it won't actually rain...."
With skeptical side-glance "LJ, did you see the same weather forecast that I did?"

"I'm on a boat! Got my swim trunks and my flippy-floppies..."
"I really can't believe that I haven't seen this SNL skit you keep singing. I'm You Tubing it as soon as we're home."
"I'm on a boat..."

sidenote: Who knew the "I'm on a boat" Andy Samberg skit wasn't available for viewing in different countries?!

"You'd think we'd see the boat by now, where is it?"
Bahamian Hotel Worker: "You don't see it? It's right there. I can't believe you don't see it."
"I think you're lying. I don't see any boat."
"What?! You just don't know where to look. It's right there. See?"
"You are making it up. No boat in sight."
"1 - 2 - 3..."
"Oh! There it is...huh."
"See, told you it was coming."

Better in the Bahamas Rule #5: Bahamian's will tell you whatever you want to hear. Truth, lies, doesn't matter. Always whatever you want to hear.

"So....this boat is going to be full of children."
"High School Grads. 18-yr-olds. Ew."
"Are we too old for booze cruises?"

"True or False: Snorkeling in the rain is a bad idea."
"True. Let's get these wrist bands off and get a Goombay Smash."
"Right behind ya."

See Better in the Bahamas Rule #2.

"I'm so great. I could do a perfect Tree pose right now."
"Oh please show me Ang. Then we wouldn't just be the old girls on the boat, we'd be the old girls doing yoga on the boat."

"Are they seriously wearing Speedos?"
"What kind of bet did they lose?"
"Woah, entirely too much for me."

"Slide to the left. Slide to the Right. Cha Cha now y'all. Everybody clap your hands."
"This is the new Electric Slide."
"These people aren't even old enough to know what the Electric Slide is."

Better in the Bahamas Rule #6: Ain't no party like a Booze Cruise party 'cause the Booze Cruise party don't stop. (or so they say...)

"Are you seeing this crazy man in jorts over there?!"
"Oh! What is he doing?"
"Watching those women dance. Attempting to dance on the side? Ummm..."
"Ewww!"

"Well I think he's so great! And cute! And I think I really like him! I mean, based on his Facebook profile, of course."
"HAHAHA! I'm tweeting that."
"You think he has friends?"

Sunday, May 24th
8:30am - Finally figure out what time it is. Quick run. Last few hours on the beach. There is sun today! Don't worry Mom, SPF 45 for me. There's something about the ocean, the sunshine, and a beach chair that puts me right to sleep. Awakened to the same Bahamian island music we've been listening to all weekend. Seriously, all of these songs sound the same. Regretfully, it's time to pack it up.

1:30pm - Cabb-ing
"To the Airport? You're leaving us? Such beautiful eyes! And smile. And so polite. Where are you from?"
"Oh thank you, I'm from New York."
"Oh? But New Yorkers are always so angry. You're so friendly and well-mannered. Ok, let me ask you this...where did you grow up?"
"Haha, grew up in Texas."
"Ahhhhh, see? That's why you're friendly. Texans are always well-mannered and polite."
"Well then I guess I must blame that on Texas..."

Better in the Bahamas Rule #7: Oh how those Bahamian men love us blue-eyed girls.

4:30pm - Nassau International Airport. Through Customs. Did I come in contact with any farm animals during my stay? Um, no. It's pouring down rain. Glad I'm not missing any sun.

6:30pm - JFK
Dearest Manhattan, I'm home. I do love the aerial view of the City at dusk, it's perfectly lovely. But I just don't have any desire to be coming home to you and real life right now.

And so ends La La Lauren and Big Apple Angie's weekend Island Adventure. There was a lot of rain, but enough sunshine to keep us happy. There were gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, sharks, rapids, palm trees, boats, casinos and Bahamian accents. There was uncontrollable giggling, silliness and chatting until 4am. Next time, and there will definitely be a next time, we're taking on the out islands - Exuma here we come! And I simply cannot wait!

So Better in the Bahamas 2009? Better indeed.

And they all lived happily ever after.

The End.

Just in case you miss me...

Operation: It's Better in the Bahamas '09

After putting in 15+ hour days at the office for the past few weeks, I couldn't be more ready for my Memorial Day Weekend Bahamavention. Conveniently, the timing for our tropical vacay happens to fall when I am in desperate need of an escape from the current craziness that is my life. I could also really use a tan - this wintry-pale skin is starting to look seriously unhealthy.

You can find me + Big Apple Angie sprawled out on Cable Beach for the next few days. Nowhere else I'd rather be.

Nassau, Sunshine, Beautiful Beaches, Turquoise Water, Cocktails, Sundresses, Casinos. Better indeed.

"I want to go to there."

A Lil Piece of Texas....

. . . .on a New York City Rooftop.



Saturday was the annual Chili Cook-off put on by the NY Texas Exes and Texas A&M Alumni associations. It's one of my favorite events of the year, right up there with kicking-off Longhorn football season at Stout. It's the perfect way to start the summer!

About 30 hopeful teams concoct their versions cook-off winning chili. We spend the whole day on the rooftop at 230 Fifth (only the best rooftop in midtown!) eating as much chili as we can and jamming out to classic Texas country music. It's an afternoon of friendly Texans, a sea of burnt orange, great music, tasty chili and an unbelievably good time.

Just like Texas. With the Empire State Building as the back-drop.

Emily and her roomies actually took a shot at chili-cookin'. It was delish!

With the girls.



Caroline, Seaver and Julia enjoying the sunshine

Yay Chili Cook-off '09!

oh, so that was flirtexting?

Flir-text-ing (flûrteksting) [v.]

1. Any text message sent between you and a boy you would like to date or are currently dating. These texts normally contain flirty, witty banter that typically leads to a date and, if you’re lucky, much much more.
2. The new first step in dating.

Not only is there an official name for this new form of communication / flirtation, it has now been turned into a how-to book. That's right, everything you never knew you wanted to know about the right and wrong ways to communicate with the opposite sex via text messaging. Wait, let me get this straight, there are rules for being cute and fun in text form? Apparently. Oh, and there's a flirtexting blog too. Ya know, rules at your fingertips, in case you don't want to be caught picking up the book.

Wow...we're going to need to discuss this. Is flirtexting for real? Are we all so nervous about communicating with a cute guy / girl that we now hide behind text messages? Is it a control thing? Are we more assertive via text? Can there really be do's and don't's for this form of communication?

Say what you will, but the writers of this book might just be on to something. I'd say flirtexting is absolutely normal. Everyone does it. It really is a pretty standard first step in dating now. Boys don't call to see if you have plans. They text. And usually they won't text until they're well into their 5th beer of the evening and they'll want to know "what's going down tonight?" at 1am. So very charming.

Regardless of this silliness, flirtexting is just another avenue for girls to over-analyze a boy's actions. With any text from a guy we might be interested in, we will still giggle, blush, consult our friends for the perfect witty response and re-read the conversation over and over wondering what he really meant with that winking smiley.

And if he doesn't respond to a text that we've initiated...yeah, what then? Are flirtexts deal-breakers now too? All kinds of room for over-analyzation in delayed text response. Boys always have their phones on them, you know? Why didn't he just text right back? Didn't he pick up on my sarcasm? Does he think I'm an idiot? Ugh, this is exhausting, it's just a text message!

Ok, I'll admit I might be guilty of flirtexting. Flirtexting, flirt-iming, flirt-facebooking even flirt-emailing. (What? I'm good with words and particularly charming in writing. Don't judge.) The thing about this sort of flirtation is that it's mostly frustrating and annoying for all involved. Really, how long can we go back and forth before we make plans? Why can't he just call? Perhaps guys think there is less pressure involved in texting. Such a cop-out boys. But maybe it does work when done well....I mean, no harm in making a girl giggle, right?

And sometimes it's just too hard to read someone via text. We can't tell if he's serious, being sarcastic, or just dumb. Because let's be honest, abbreviations in text form? Not good. Just don't do it. And now I'm making my own text rules...hah!

So really, my fascination with the new Flirtexting book is a bit self-serving. This is a topic that my witty friends and I have discussed in hilarious detail - re-reading, over-analyzing, giggling, texting no-no's, lamest ever, best ever... I could go on, but I think you get the point. :)

Basically, this book deal is yet another example of how we are just one good idea / blog post away from becoming an internet quasi-success story.

Why didn't we think of this first?!

I Believe. . . .

. . . .in all things girly.

. . . .in following your dreams.

. . . .that blonde's have more fun.

. . . .in independence.

. . . .in high heels that sometimes hurt your feet - doesn't make them any less fab.

. . . .that life should have a soundtrack.

. . . .that best friends are lifesavers.

. . . .that it's all about the attitude.

. . . .in the healing power of chocolate.

. . . .in dance parties.

. . . .in learning from mistakes.

. . . .in a lil sassyness, but keeping it classy.

. . . .in the importance of family.

. . . .in singing out loud.

. . . .that running is therapeutic.

. . . .in giggling.

. . . .in having roots and wings.

. . . .in butterflies.

Dear NY, I care.

Last Saturday was the annual New York Cares volunteer day. It's the designated day that thousands of New Yorkers volunteer to help clean-up Manhattan and the boroughs.

This year my company sponsored a volunteer group, paid the registration fees and encouraged everyone to spend the day giving back to the city. I should probably also mention that they offered an extra PTO day to all volunteers...lil extra sign-up incentive.

And since I happen to be short a few PTO days for the year, this was all I needed to hear before signing myself right up for a day-o-caring! Well, this and quick email correspondence with a few co-workers who also decided it would be a lovely way to spend the Saturday with substantial reward - the giving back of course, never would I suggest that an extra PTO day was motivation for volunteering...never.

So very early last Saturday morning I met Jamie on the UWS and we set out on our NY Cares adventure. A few things we did not consider as we began our day-of-good-doing. (a) We did not have the faintest idea who Pixie, our team leader, actually was. (b) Nor did we know anyone else from our agency who was riding the bus out to Queens. (c) The craziness that we were actually getting ourselves into.

Good news though, being the friendly gals that we are, we ended up chatting with the girls sitting across from us on the bus, one of whom was the aforementioned Pixie. By 9:30am, team leader, check. Volunteer t-shirt, check. Throwback old yellow school bus - with seatbelts, check. Bright, sunny, warm springy forecast for the day, check check!

Our service site was Little Bay Park in Queens. Don't ask me where said park is in relation to Manhattan, I have no idea. I do know that it is on the bay of the Long Island Sound. Do with that what you will. Our charge was to rid the park of debris that has accumulated along the rocky edges of the bay. So armed with our "grabbers," gloves and trash bags we headed towards the water.

First thoughts - How hard can this be? We have grabbers, we don't even have to bend down to pick anything up. We have gloves. We have trash bags. Easy. And we can break for lunch at 1pm. And it's so sunny and warm, what a perfect day to be outside. Great, go!

Second thoughts - Um, this is a lot of trash. Ew. Don't fall! What's the point of this grabber anyway? This stuff has been here so long it's practically part of the earth! Every time I think I've got it all, I uncover more. Gross. Who leaves THIS?! What time is it now? Only 11am? Yikes...

Right, just to clarify, NOT easy work people. By Noon we were hurting. Sore arms, blistered hands, heavy trash bags. In order to pass the time, we decided to take inventory on the strangest trash items we had picked up. A catalog of sorts that detailed our findings.

Trash items discarded at Little Bay Park include, but are not limited to the following:

• Countless glass bottles - beer, liquor, iced tea
• Plastic bags
• A tire
• Blackberry battery
• Feminine products (really ladies? on the rocks at the park? sick.)
• Plastic bottles
• A syringe
• One tennis shoe
• Permanent marker
• What we are fairly certain was a diaper
• Rope
• Chicken wire
• A hula hoop
• Aluminum foil
• Tin pan
• Arm + cupholder from a lounge chair
• An assortment of bottle caps, cigarette butts and other random small things that are impossible to pick up
  

I'd also like to note that we felt like we were in an episode of CSI and we weren't sure what we were going to uncover next. A finger? A gun? A dead body? You just never know.

In another biazzare twist, at the end of our shift, the park director decided that we should take a tour of Fort Totten, the recently closed Army base right next to Little Bay Park. Huh? Why was this a part of NY Cares day? No clue. But we went. And saw the Magazine and the Battery that overlooked the water. Hey, at least we weren't cleaning up trash?

In conclusion...Think twice before you throw your trash on the ground. It's gross. It takes people a long time to clean it up and even so, they'll never get it all.

Dear New York,
I volunteered. I filled at least 6 giant trash bags. I'm scraped up. I'm sunburned. I toured Ft. Totten. Clearly I care.
xoxo,
LJ

Sloan Elizabeth Turns One!

Never has there ever been a more precious Birthday Princess!

As warned, more gushing over my cutie niece. Yes, her 1st birthday party was the kind of occasion that requires it's very own blog post. It was a day-o-fun filled with delicious cake, super fantastic pressie's and lots of giggling. She's such a happy girl and it was such fun to spend the day at Shane & Berit's house for the celebration!

I am so very glad that I was able to be in Tejas for the fiesta, I would have been incredibly sad if I'd missed it. I could sit and watch this little girl play for hours and hours, endless entertainment really. At 1-year-old, she has a sparkling personality that keeps everyone smiling. She loves her baby dolls, rocking chairs and being outside.

I just can't get enough of her! Absolutely. Presh. Here are a few of my fave party pics. Love love!

Singing Happy Birthday

A lil uncertain about this cake stuff...

...wait, this is actually really yummy!


loves it!


You want some too?


Hey Daddy, you definitely should try this!


GrandBuddy makes her giggle


She climbed right up into her new rocking chair, ohsofun!


Birthday's. Are. Fab.


Me and the Birthday Girl


Weee!


Ridin' in style with Aunt LeLe