What I loved about Surffing

My buddy John, (husband of Kate- to know more see, Pirate Hunts for Cool People on the Island) is a very smart guy. He took all the work out of learning to surf and let me get hooked on the feeling of ridding waves. He was kind enough to stand in the freezing water and literately push me into oncoming waves, two days in a row for a total of about three hours. I baked him a bread.

Day one was amazing. I caught about 10-12 waves and really stated to get the hang of it. Day two I was a little on the sick side (probably from being in the water when outside tempts were around 11-15 degrees). I caught only about 3 or 4 waves and called it a day.
Two days was enough for me to realize how different each day and even each wave can be. Some of you may roll your eyes at this but I found it to be a lot like minimal techno. A lot of repetition but its the subtleties that force you to change in a challenging sort of way. You really have to listen to the wave, change your body (footing, weight, speed, ...) in order to get the most out of each ride. It's like a little mini talk with the wave- except I have to shut up and listen before I can react. Very challenging I tell yah! ;) Lots of fun, even when I was:

Onward and Upward

Ok, after a long string of pretty major setbacks, I'm sad to report, the restaurant will not happen. This is now a cold hard fact.

I have secured a job at a local restaurant: As You Like It. It's a small gourmet style deli. Soups, salads, burgers and fried green tomatoes! :) Yummm. . . I had them today for the first time and they are pretty good.

I'm in the works of applying to grad school and some other options which will take me abroad once again. I am looking for any opportunities or websites you might know about. I am open to any and all ideas so send them my way!

I'm also excited to report that I've been djing techno Tuesdays at a small dive bar in Jacksonville. I've been doing a good job of getting in with those who are out. I'm building a small fan base who like to write about the new hot DJ on the bathroom walls . . and attempt to draw canadian leafs. It's cute. I got paid to DJ last Saturday night but I don't think I've got their number just yet so I'm not expecting a call back too quick. But I'm enjoying Tuesdays (which I do for free) because it gives me an opportunity to learn the new technology and get comfortable playing to a VERY diverse crowd. Basically it goes like this: 6:00-8:00, country and top 40's; 8-9:30/10:00 rock, alternative or whatever they want to hear; 10:00 -> whatever I want, i.e- techno, (because no one is in the bar except for the bartender and her friends who actually seem to be getting into the techno. :))

Tomorrow is my first surf lesson and I'm soon to be joining the board of directors for Keep Nasseau Clean - the organization working the hardest at starting up a recycling program on this island!

So,,, after getting the wind blown out of my sails over Christmas, I'm back up and crusing along. Don't expect me back up north any time soon- unfortunately. I'm thinking I'll stay down here and enjoy the spring, you should come and join me because everything is better when shared with a friend!

Where's My Flippin' Head?

At the last minute I decided to blow all my Chrsitmas Cash on a trip back up North for a couple of goodbyes and some major celebratin'.

The cheapest route happened to be the most fun route including a couple days in Philly a few hours in NYC, a 13 hour train ride, (to satisfy my thirst for travel), and a solid 7 days in Montreal over New Years and Pickles Birthday.

So, first the flights to Philly were so delayed I was told there was no way I would make my train leaving from Philly the following morning. I took the risk of sleeping in the Atlanta airport and got on my Jacksonville --> Atlanta flight anyway. I made a flight via standby and arrived into Philly at 1:00am (vs. the expected 7pm). My buddy Matt was kind enough to come pick me up, take me out drinking and leave me at the train station at 4:45am, and then go to work the next day. (1) I left BOTH my American and Canadian cell phones in his car and didn't have a number to reach him because his number was in my phones. (2) After trying to call my phones from a pay phone, I left my wallet in Philadelphia and didn't realize until I was in NYC. I spent my "few hours in NYC" filling out a Police report. I arrived to Montreal and My mom was kind enough to come pick me up and drop me off at Pickles (who, FYI, had celebrated her birthday a day early). (3) I left one of my gloves in the taxi at the end of the night. Day one/two- complete (- two cell phones, my wallet and one glove)

I went up north the following day with my mom and Bill. I didn't loose anything and had a very nice relaxing time enjoying the snow, warm fire place and the Movie, "In Brouge" it was really, very good. Days three and four- complete (no other losses)

Tuesday I returned to the city and picked up my Canadian cell phone and wallet which Matt was kind enough to mail me. I visited with Lohdee, Sid, Eva and even got a good solid 20min of dancin' in with Bianca at Daume. Day five complete (+ Canadian cell phone and wallet - $45US)

Wednesday was New Years Eve. I made home made Gnocchi and headed to my Pot Luck at Rebbecca's. After the midnight celebration a bunch of us went down town to a party and as soon as we arrived I noticed my cell phone was missing. (4) I had a friend call it and although I heard it ring once I couldn't find it. At the same time Gav was telling me that some girl had it she walked up to the same party I was at and told me that she had found it in the snow. (5)Later that night I realized that my side belt- ok we can call it a fanny-pack- containing my phone was missing and when I went to search the floor for it, I realized that I had hung it up on a hook thinking it was someone else's scarf or shirt or something. I made a selfless act. . . for myself.
The rest of the night was all in good fun. Nothing but good times to report. Day Six complete (- my Canadian cell phone x2, + my Canadian cell phone x2)

I am happy to report that the following day I didn't move off of Yael's sofa and therefore did not loose anything. Day Seven complete. (no losses, no gains)

I spent my last day in the city running errands, eating good food at Aux Vivre with Pickel, her Sister and Miriam and my last night at Jhons loft. Day eight complete (+ my North Face vest left at Jhons during my previous visit in the Fall)

I caught the train back to NYC around 9:15am and slept until around 2, (thanks to my nifty custom fit ear plugs). When the train stopped for it's only "smoke brake" in Albany NY, I jumped off to grab some water and food as the train was out of vegetarian options. I double checked by asking a conductor how much time I had, "about 10 minutes." Well... it wasn't. (6) My back pack, corduroy jacket, bag of Doritos and an article I was reading all got left on the train as it headed off to NYC without me. I was lucky enough to get the next train and my belongings were safely waiting for me at the customer service office when I arrived in NYC. Unfortunately because of the delay I had no time to go out and enjoy NYC. I arrived to Philly and Shelly and Matt were there to nab me and head back out to the bars. Day nine complete (- my school bag, jacket, bag of Doritos and article, + my school bag, jacket and American cell phone).

Here's the good one, .. .ready? I went to watch Shelly play hockey the following morning around 10:30a.m. Shelly scored the only goal for our/her team! After, we returned to her place to make breakfast and I had a couple of beers- they were miller lights and I was on my last day of vacation. After that, Shelly had to head to work so I went to go watch the football game at a bar where Shelly's roommate, Ashly works. Turns out this bar has the most MADDENING beer selection I have ever scene in a bar. So I did my darnedest to take advantage of the situation. A few hours later Matt joined me and we watched the end of the football game. Sometime around 9pm we drove Ashly to her next job ... which is another Bar. . . and along the way (7) I left my little voice recorder in Matt's car. Eventually, Matt had to bail and Shelly wasn't feeling well so I had to hang at the bar until Ashly finished at 2:00a.m. Now... I was not in the most tip-top of shape at that point (un-surprisingly) so when she asked me to wait outside I sat on the stoop of the bar. . . and proceeded to fall asleep. When I woke. . . my purse was gone (8). Day ten complete (- recorder, wallet, glasses, sun glasses, custom fit earplugs, "Bible" book, 2 clinique lipsticks, mp3 case and extra battery, $45 cash, gum, . . . )

The next day I went for a nice breakfast with Shelly and Jo, filled out a police report, got on a plane and got the heck out of Philly! As of now the continence of my bag are still M.I.A with little chance of recovery. . . Matt's going to send me my recorder. . . where is my head?

If you find it, (9) please let me know and mail it back! Fed Ex is only $32 for overnight if it's under a pound. And it must be, because I'm such a flippin' air head!

Hope your holidays were spectacular!