Back to reality

Ugh.  I am still in my post-vacation fog. 

Okay, done whining.  Time to recap my week at Winnipesaukee!  Before we left, Dan and I had a nice dinner with my family at my parents' house on Wednesday night.  It was nice to catch up with everyone!

We decided to break our drive up by driving halfway on Thursday night (and stopping at my aunt and uncle's in Westchester) and the other half on Friday morning.  Not exactly the most comfortable of rides in our little clown car (I ran Friday morning and then regretted it; there is nothing worse than running and then having your long legs squished into a tiny car.  I was in agony when we finally emerged, victorious, at the Lake), but we made it in one piece.  The first stop before arriving at the Lake was Sawyer's, because, let's face it, I had to have my once-yearly frappe (which, despite their assertion that frappes are different from milkshakes, are exactly the same).  We had been driving through the rain for much of the drive, and it was POURING when we arrived at the marina.  Good thing that, when we had stopped at a grocery store for lunch, I suggested getting trash bags to put all of our bags in.  Patting myself on the back for that one.  After a sopping wet drive across the Lake, we arrived on the island and changed into drier clothes. 

I wish I could say that we did a lot of interesting things last week, but, the truth is, we were uncharacteristically lazy. Sure, we always allow ample time for getting our sun goddesses on and roasting under the sun, but the laziness of this year was unrivaled haha.  I did make time each day for exercise (I went on a few runs, a hike, and several swims), but other than that, I sat in the sun and read...and then read some more.  This was my week to do all of the things that I don't normally have time to do: I slept for 9.5ish hours a night; exercised at whatever darn time I felt like it, rather than my usual 5am workout; read the majority of a 1,000-page book; got pretty bronzed (!!!!!!); and spent quality time with family and friends.  I truly came back from this vacation feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, which was exactly what I needed.  It was a little bit depressing because not all of the "kids" were there this year (one was there for three days and the other was studying abroad in China and was unable to make it at all), which resulted in a quieter week, but then again, maybe I needed the quiet.  The excitement of the week was the fact that we caught five mice in the kitchen.  I am NOT a mouse person, so averted my eyes whenever the traps were unloaded, but at least the little critters won't be traipsing through the kitchen anymore (well, their friends will, but not those five).

Our few adventures included a late-night ice cream run, a hike (my dad and I saw a porcupine and, whelp, a snake.  I screamed when I saw the snake), and an impromptu trip to Maine to see Terry, the owner of our Lake house and a very close family friend.  The day spent in Maine was wonderful, especially since I had never seen Terry's incredible compound before.  We went to a lobster shack for lunch, where those in the group who are not allergic to shellfish feasted on lobster rolls.  Then, we went to an ice cream place up the coast, where I had some DELICIOUS Maine Blueberry ice cream.  Then, we stopped by the York lighthouse and then the Goldenrod candy shop, where we were mesmerized by the saltwater taffy that we watched them make through the window.  After that, we just relaxed at Terry's house.  I think he really appreciated having us there, and it was a very special day.    

We hit the road early on Saturday morning, after my dad and I got one last swim in.  I was sad to be leaving the Lake, but desperately wanted a buffer day between when we returned and when I had to go back to work.  Plus, I was REALLY missing a certain someone and wanted to see him.  I completely understood that he didn't have enough vacation time built up at his new job yet, but I was still pretty bummed that he couldn't come up to NH with us.  Oh well, maybe next year...Anyway, I hurriedly dropped my bags at home and spent the next 24 wonderful hours with Dan.  We had the laziest of Sundays yesterday, and it was glorious.  I thought I had the laziness cleared out of my system after nine days of relaxation, but it turned out that I needed a little bit more :) I still haven't really settled into my routine yet.  When I got home last night, I realized that it was the first time in 12 days that I had slept in my own bed.  My own room seemed so foreign to me, as did my gym this morning!  I couldn't fall asleep last night, probably partly because my surroundings seemed somehow unfamiliar.   Anyway, on we march. We're down to less than two weeks until our half-marathon, so I'm starting to get really excited!!!

Some pictures of our wonderful week:

 Summertime, and the living is easy

 The broseph and I at York light

 Who, me?

BEST VIEW EVER

Countdown: 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am already breaking out the sweatshirts and long pants, bathing suits and hiking gear, which can only mean one thing...it's Lake week!!!!!!! We're leaving on Thursday (driving part of the way on Thursday night and the other part on Friday), and I couldn't be more excited for my annual trip to Winnipesaukee!! Although I have gone there every summer since I was two years old, the novelty still hasn't worn off.  I still get butterflies in my stomach as soon as we enter New Hampshire, and especially when we drive down the dirt road into the parking lot at the marina.  I can't wait to breathe some cool New England air :) This will make twice in one summer that I'll be in New England, what a lucky girl I am!  I can't wait for lots of swimming, hiking, running, tanning, reading, relaxing with family and friends, pigging out on frappes, and cool summer nights. 

Okay, enough romanticizing for now!  I also have to do a recap of Dan's birthday and this past weekend!  Since I had Dan's birthday off from work, I got to be the first one to wish him a happy birthday when he woke up!  I stopped by the store to get some supplies for Dan's birthday treat, Oreo Cupcakes.  I had seen a recipe for these a while back, and I knew I had to try them out.  Well, he told me yesterday that they are the best homemade baked goods that he has ever had (which warmed my heart, especially because his mom is such an incredible baker!!), and I will definitely be adding those to my repertoire.  They are not exactly the healthiest of desserts, with about three Oreos in the cake/as garnish and cream cheese, butter and heavy cream (gulp) in the frosting, but they are so worth it.  Below is a picture, so you can feel free to salivate :)

After my baking was done and I had gone to the gym, I met Dan back at his place so we could go to dinner.  I had told him that we were going to an Italian place on 14th Street, and, thanks to a little sleuthing by his coworker (who he told the few details I had disclosed to him), he figured out where we were going! Darn it!  We went to Posto, which was very good, and then went home and gorged ourselves on cupcakes while watching the Olympics.  So blissful!

On Friday, I was still very bummed out after the news about Todd and, in fact, felt as though I was in a fog all day.  I was able to get off of work early, so met up with Molly (and, later, our respective families) at Jazz.  I have been such a delinquent about going this year, so it was nice to relax with our pitcher of sangria and leftover cupcakes.  I then went out to dinner with my parents and went home to watch the Olympics (are you sensing a theme? Haha).

On Saturday morning, I got up for an early run and did some major organization of my room.  I have so little personal living space that I really need to purge all of the things that I don't use regularly.  I then took the bus over to Dan's and we lounged by the pool for a bit.  Inspired by the Olympics and overestimating my own greatness, I charged into the pool and tried to show off by doing laps of various strokes (I will not even attempt the butterfly, but am at least passable at freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke, with breaststroke being my strongest stroke).  I got some pointers from Dan the Backstroke Expert, which significantly eased the tension that I had been putting on my shoulders when I was doing the stroke wrong.  I'm really looking forward to doing some serious swimming at the Lake, which I typically do for exercise (because my dad is afraid that I will get abducted, he will not allow me to run alone, and he himself can only run a maximum of four miles a day at this point, so, when I am up at the Lake, I have to find other exercise alternatives).  After showering and changing, Dan headed off to the Nats game with Goran, and I met up with my friend Jamie and a few other mutual friends for dinner at Jack Rose and drinks at Local 16.  It was wonderful to see a great group of girls.  I then met up with Dan and his friends at Goran's, where we had a few drinks and, wait for it, watched the Olympics.  Overall, Saturday was a great day, because I got time with my friends and time with Dan!

Donell, Amy, me, Stacey, Jamie and Blair at Local 16.  The misting machines that they had on the rooftop is the reason for the smoky effect!

On Sunday morning, I met up with Molly and her family at Ted's for brunch.  Despite the ridiculously long wait, the food did not disappoint, as usual.  Homemade pop tarts are sure a way to this girl's heart!  We also tried an Oatmeal Cream Pie (basically some creamy frosting wedged between two oatmeal raisin cookies), which was fabulous, however overly sweet it may have been!  Then, I went to the gym and did some more organizing before chatting with Kate and Dave.  It was so great to talk to them (and it was the first time I had talked to both of them since Dave got back!).  All in all, a great way to end the weekend.  This week, I have lots of time planned with Dan before I leave him yet again for vacation (sniffle, sniffle), as well as some packing time tonight and dinner with my family and Dan on Wednesday.  I'm hoping that I can tie my shortened work week up as painlessly as possible!!