Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Puerto Rico (aka Fantasy Island)

Our global principal's meeting this year was hosted in Puerto Rico.  This was my first visit to the Carribbean island and, embarassingly, I did not know much about Puerto Rico until we landed there.  I had chemo on Tuesday and headed out Wednesday morning for San Juan.

Thursday and Friday were busy days, with work meetings running from 8am to 9pm... and that doesn't count any of the "real work" that I am responsible for.  Needless to say, it was a long couple of days, but it was great to catch up with friends and colleagues from around the world.

Mike came down on Thursday night and was there to participate in some of the teambuilding on Friday and Saturday.  We went snorkeling, took an ATV tour and joined a busload of ZS'ers on a night-time kayaking trip to a bioluminescent bay.  Now... we've been kayaking before, but for many in our group, this was their first time.  Imagine learning to kayak in the dark... in a narrow channel... with mangroves growing on either side of the channel and kayak tour groups heading in both directions... an interesting experience indeed.  I would recommend it only if you go during the week (when it's not so crazy) and in a small group... or... if you are like Bekia and you just have the tourguide tow your kayak back out of the bay for you!

Perhaps the biggest "teambuilding" event was sharing stories about the "Heineken Fantasy Island" bash that was held from 11am to 11pm on Saturday.  The hotel memo that was delivered to our room mentioned that the main pool would be closed due to a "private party" with "live entertainment"... quite certainly the understatement of the year.  Imagine Spring Break x Girls Gone Wild... in Puerto Rico... wow.  That's all I can say. 

I'm not sure we'll be heading back to Puerto Rico anytime soon, but rest assured... if we do... we'll be headed straight to Culebra for sure.
view from our balcony

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

limited edition

I knew something was brewing when Mike suggested we head up to Mercer County to watch MCUDL finals... but I wasn't about to complain.  I love getting out there to see my buddies from the league that has been like family to me for the past decade. 

During halftime, Bailey Saul gathered everyone around for a quick speech and presentation.  The league (and Mike) had designed a "limited edition" frisbee that they were selling on my behalf to raise funds for Komen for the Cure.  Wow.  I am touched and honored by the time and energy that went into this... thanks to all who were involved.

Discs are still on sale... contact Mike for more information. 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

stumble beach

For the week after the wedding, we rented a cottage on Lake Ontario called Stumble Beach.  Charlene, Jeremy & Regan joined us for the first few days and we also had visits from my mom, my cousin Donna (and her girls), and my friends Katie and Paul. 

My sprint blackberry (my work phone) didn't get reception at the cottage -- a mixed blessing indeed!  We had a great week full of swimming, ice cream cones, home-cooked meals, frog-hunting, campfires and relaxation.