Amber

Full Circle - or almost

Amber — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It, combined with a full-sized futon, became my new bed while waiting the 2+ months for my real bed to arrive. Surprisingly it has held up quite well throughout the years and is quite comfortable. When not pinch-hitting it resides behind the full futon, just waiting for the next set of guests to arrive. Either that or the next move.

Alsancak

Amber — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well it has finally arrived with all the rest of my stuff -- well the 4500 lbs of stuff that came with me as opposed to being put in storage in Maryland. The futon is ensconced yet again in the shoe room where it has a place of honor against the wall. And here it will stay unless I have lots of guests and it needs to come out and play.

It's travelling again

Amber — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Well it's that time again. The movers from hell came today and packed up the futon along with lots and lots and lots of other stuff -- of which hopefully all of it makes it in one piece. So into a big crate it went to be transported by truck to it's new destination -- Izmir, Turkey.

How I spent my 4th of July

Amber — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Left my house around quarter til 5am to make it to Sacile for the 5:22 train. Arrived in Mestre around 6ish with just enough time for a quick bathroom stop then it was off to board the Eurostar for Roma. A pretty uneventful train ride down -- just me and 5 Italians all reading our newspapers and playing Sudoku (or at least I was). Arrived shortly after 11am and then spent the next hour or so trying to locate the Post Office across from binario 24 so that I may purchase my Roma Pass -- offers unlimited transport, free access to the first 2 National Museums (including the Colloseum) and discounts thereafter. After waiting in line for what seemed to be forever, eventually secured the pass and then went to locate the Orange line Metro.

Initially went in the wrong direction, but that was easily fixed and then hopped the Metro in the other direction and arrived at the Repubblica stop. Left the station and figured out where my hotel was and was able to check in, despite the fact that it was only noonish. After divesting myself of the backpack, I went out in search of the Colloseum. Took the Orange line back to the Termini station and then hopped the Blue line down to the Colloseum. Played frogger with the traffic and eventually made my way to stand in line. Luckily once I cleared the security check point I was able to bypass the ticket line and just scoot on in with my Roma Pass. Walked all around the Colloseum, just didn't get a good vibe from it, although there were some interesting views towards the Forum. Still not sure what the big shiny silver piles of whatever were, but didn't feel like going exploring in that direction once I left the Colloseum. They also had an exhibit Eros, which had some nice statuary and frescos.

The ventured towards the Palladine and the Forum and wandered all over the gardens and grottos, overlooking the city and then climbed down into the Forum. Took tons of pictures as ever and then wandered up to Capitol Hill. Didn't go in any of the museums, but after I got back to the hotel and actually read what was inside, I wish I had. Wandered down and around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and then back up towards the Colloseum. Made my way back to the hotel via the Metro, stopped off at McD's and then took a tepid shower and promptly collapsed on the bed. Woke up a bit later by very bad karaoke downstairs and read the guide book -- discovering exactly what it was that I had seen that day.

Lewis and Clark Caverns

Amber — Sat, 03 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT

After leaving Hughenden we ventured south towards Yellowstone and saw that we were near the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Mom, Pat and I went exploring, while Grandma got her much needed nicotine fix.

For more information on the caverns visit http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_281895.aspx and that's also the site of where the picture came from c2004.

Home again home again -- almost

Amber — Thu, 08 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT

After a few relaxing days with Shirley, we drove back down I-5 to McKittrick to spend a few more days with Mom's sisters and kids before we Split up and I flew back to Cincinnati, and Mom and Pat went back to Hawaii. I vaguely remember being there for an early birthday celebration for Sever at Chucky Cheese -- but that could of been another trip.

Over the river and through the woods

Amber — Mon, 05 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT

To Auntie Shirley's we go.... Here a delightful reception of home made salsa and chocolate chip cookies awaited. Also a trip out to the lake on the boat made for a delightful day or two. Shirley is always one of the best hosteses and I always enjoy the time spent with her, as she is a wonderfully upbeat person.

Fireworks in the car, at the hotel, in the city

Amber — Sun, 04 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT

After managing not to lose Mom in the boiling hot ponds of Yellowstone and not running over any tourists, we made our way to Reno and then had the joy of trying to locate a hotel room on the 4th of July. Tempers were flaring and we discovered that Mom just didn't like to drive in the city when we eventually back tracked out of Reno to a small lil town about a half hour or so away, whose name escapes me. Managed to finally secure a hotel room and all 4 of us promptly Split up -- Grandma down to the casino, Mom outside, Pat to the game room, and I relaxed in the hotel room watching the fireworks from the window. The next day we set off again, much calmer having had the time away from each other.

Where the deer and the buffalo roam

Amber — Sun, 04 Jul 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Mom almost scalded herself trying to get away from the Buffalo. More details to follow

Visiting an Olympic site and finally getting to our desitination

Amber — Sun, 13 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Drove through Calgary and made a slight detour to see the remnants of the Olympic village. Then eventually made our way further east to eventually get to Hughenden, Alberta. This is a teeeeeny tiny, blink and you miss it, town about an hour or two east of Calgary where my mom was born and lived until she was 5 or 6.

We visited with all the great-aunties, saw the house my grandmother lived in as a child, and the house my great-grandmother lived in as well -- course we did have to chase the cows out of the house before we could venture inside.

My little brother was so escatic that he could actually buy beer legally, so we visited the local liquor stores a few times and Mom went golfing with Auntie Irene.

In search of the Hot Spring

Amber — Sat, 12 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

We crossed through Idaho and up into Canada where Pat got in trouble filming the border crossing. We then cruised through Banff looking at the gorgeous scenery and then Mom got the grand idea that rather than go into one of the hotel hot springs we needed to find a natural one. Strangely enough she succeeded and we also located a cabin as well.

Packing, re-packing, and packing again

Amber — Fri, 11 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Hmmm... don't remember much about this leg of the trip, other than the fact that we drove through Coeur d'Alene. And by this point I have packed and repacked the trunk numerous times so that I can fit all of our luggage, as well as the knick knacks that we've all bought along the way. Not too mention we have to have room for Pat's skateboard, along with easy access to it so he can take advantage of the skatepark we located somewhere in Washington before heading through Coeur d'Alene on our way up to Canada.

Crater Lake

Amber — Thu, 10 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

All I can say is this was a wild goose chase with my Auntie saying this was the most gorgeous lake she'd ever been to. So very warm and just lovely. We arrive and there's 4' of snow everywhere and all u can see is fog with a bare glimmer of the lake below. My little brother decides to strip down to his shorts and wife beater and run through the snow while demanding that we video tape it all. Oh well to be young :p

It's off to grandmother's house we go

Amber — Mon, 07 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Packed the car up and set off up 101 to Santa Rosa. Stopped in the Garlic capital of the world, sampling garlic chips among other things. Ended up in Santa Rosa to visit my grandmother on my Dad's side. A delightful tea and such was set up and we set off the next morning further up the California Coastline.

School Sports

Amber — Wed, 02 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

After the long drive home, got settled in McKittrick, a tiny blink and u miss it town in the oilfields of Middle California. I think one of the signs on the highway says Welcome to McKittrick, population 2000 (if you count the jackrabbits).

Spent a couple days visiting with the aunties and cousins and watching the littlest cousins participate in sports day. I remember those days -- having to compete etc. It was fun watching the kids and their excitement for the swim races.

But oh my, you couldn't get me to move back there again. So dry and dusty -- you can feel the moisture just sucked out of your body.

Airport Delays

Amber — Tue, 01 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Got stuck in the airport midway between flights from Cincinnati to LAX. I can't even remember what airport it was, I just remember sitting at the bar killing time and making friends with the bartender. Several of us were just sitting around and then we started making up drinks and such. The bartender would attempt to make a drink and then have me guess what was in it == 90% of the time I was correct, and he also created something called a Thunderf**k -- all I remember is that it was in the creamy family and had a base of couvoisier or something like that. Needless to say I had a rather good buzz by the time I made my plane. Arrived at the airport to be met by my little brother and mom who'd flown in from Hawaii, and my two aunties and my grandmother. All were starving so we ventured off to Denny's for the requisite 2 hour wait for food. After fueling up we headed onto I-5 for the drive back to McKittrick.

The joys of airports - NOT

Amber — Fri, 30 Apr 1999 00:00:00 GMT

OMG I think this was the worst/longest trip EVER. The flights/layovers between Hawaii and Ohio tend to be around 13-15 hours -- this trip from hell turned into 27 excutiating hours.

First of all I show up at HNL absolutely hung over on about 2 hours of sleep. Turns out my flight was delayed 6 hours -- do u realize how much sleep I could of gotten in my nice comfy air conditioned hostel dorm room :p

Finally get into LAX which by the way is after everythign in the airport has closed down -- and am now on another 2-4 hour delay. And because I was flying ATA (which btw NEVER again, if I can feasibly avoid it) I couldn't even get shifted onto one of the other major airlines because they are a budget airline and don't have agreements with the majors. Finally get out of LAX and then after landing in Chicago -- which btw is not O'Hare but some other rinky dink airport where the food court consists of 3 choices -- get put on another 1 or 2 hour delay. Then it switches to indefinite, at this point I'm asking if the delay will be longer than 4 hours, because if it is, I'm just going to rent a car and drive home. Eventually leave Chicago and land in Dayton, OH. I have never been so glad to see Werner in my life -- a short car ride home and I finally get to take a shower. What should of been 14 hours turned into 27 hours of pure hell... course if I hadn't of had that many margaritas the night before, I wouldn't of been suffering as much as I had.

ARGH! -- Lesson Learned -- avoid budget airlines if making a connection, and especially if flying cross-country.

Hungover in Waikiki -- big surprise

Amber — Sun, 25 Apr 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Hmm think this was the trip where I drank lots of moose margaritas and crashed at the Banana Bungalow... of course the Oahu trips usually involve lots of alcohol and very little sleep, not too mention being put on a plane VERY hung over.

Home sweet home -- almost

Amber — Thu, 25 Mar 1999 00:00:00 GMT

I always love coming home. The ability to do nothing and have your parents cook for you is a wonderful time. As usual spent most of my days down at Kehena and just relaxing. The Big Island is so quiet and restful, it's great to take some downtime there and recouperate. Especially since this winter's trip was constantly on the go, a couple days here, a week there, 2 days here, 10 days there. I spent more time than I ever wanted to in various airports throughout the Pacific. Additionally, think we wore out two decks of cards and spent numerous hours either teaching or learning card games, or doing napkin folding classes.

Almost done

Amber — Sat, 20 Mar 1999 00:00:00 GMT

We landed and then were going through customs at the same time that the Ohio State Final Four basketball game was finishing. I just remember Werner frantically asking anybody/everybody how they did, including our passport control agent. Too funny, and they lost. Stayed with friends of Werner's and basically just relaxed and visited Santa Monica Beach where W picked up more dickey pants... I really should of burned those when I left. At least these didn't have huge holes in the crotch, which is why I think I allowed him to buy them.