Vacationing by the sea

Many of you will ask "why are you vacationing by the sea when you live by the sea?" Well, what better place to relax and ponder than watching the dolphins frolic as they leisurely swim by?

There were several reasons that compelled me to come back to the states for vacation this year. And why not do it at the beach?

First, I had to come back to the states to close on my house. Yes, I am officially without a mortgage. And boy does it feel great! It was a bit of an ordeal but at least it is done now. The mortgage has been paid as of today, November 5, 2012!

Secondly, I thought that as long as I was here that I would take my certification examination. I am officially a board certified Nurse Executive - Advanced. And boy was it a tough exam!! But it was worth it and hopefully it will be a plus for my career. If not now then for the future.

Thirdly, I needed a redo on Intralase Lasik surgery on my left eye. The surgery went well and I haven't needed reading glasses since!

Lastly, I wanted to relax and not stress. I have course work to complete for my leadership program so i had to lug the computer with me and I could not see traipsing through Mongolia with my computer praying for wifi! It was just easier to come back home.

So, all is finished and now I am just relaxing waiting for the next dolphin sighting. . . and dreaming about where to go on my next adventure.

I bet you thought I had left the building. . .

Wow! It's been a while since I have posted. Some things have changed. Friends have come and gone (that's been more difficult than I had realized!). It's very different to have friends leave Saudi and know that you won't see them again for a long time. When you are stateside and people leave a job as long as they don't leave the area you can always get together with them for lunch or dinner or whatever. But here we are 9,000 miles away and it's very difficult to see people if you don't go home every year. I like to travel and will usually plan trips home every other year or so. My last trip home it had been two years since the last time I was home. The older I get the more difficult the long trip home is. I was in Houston for a recruitment trip last month and the flight was 16 hours long. That tested my endurance! We were in Houston for only 2 days and then came back to Saudi Arabia. We were gone for only 7 days total (that included an extra day off on the return trip!). My sleep pattern was messed up for days.

I spent 10 days in Nepal last November. Nepal was an amazing trip! We spent 5 days trekking through the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. The trip was even more special because my friends went with me. It was physically the most difficult thing I have ever done without a doubt. But as everyone kept telling me I did it and I was proud of that. There were times when I did not think I would be able to complete the trek. If I want to go the Everest Base Camp I need to do much more specific and intense training. But that is a future dream. Maybe one day I will be back in Nepal. . . .

Long time, no see. . .

Okay, so it's been a year and a half since I have posted anything. That's way too long and doesn't really reflect the direction I had hoped this blog would go. So I will try and be more diligent in the future.

So, what's been happening in my life since last April? Well, I finished graduate school, went on a month long trip through South East Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and China. Got promoted at work and went a on a short two week trip to England looking for potential real estate investments - not successful. Went on a Himalayan Trek to Poon Hill in Nepal - OH, the pain! Wow, that's a lot in a few sentences. I will try and post some pictures and more details about the trips I've taken.

What's goin' on?

Well, yet again it's been a lo-o-o-ng while since I have posted. My only excuse is that the damned page reverts to Arabic when I'm not signed in so I get fed up with it and don't bother posting. Ok, that's not the only excuse. School seems to be occupying the majority of my time when I'm not at work. I finish my master's degree in August and cannot wait to be able to travel somewhere without my laptop.

Not much going on recently. Although, we did attend the Bahrain Airshow. Wow!!! The power of the F-18 Superhornet from the US Navy was fantastic!!! It was an awesome display. I only wish there had been more of them. I will definitely go to another airshow in the real world. . .


Here's a picture of us on the way across the King Fahad Causeway from Saudi to Bahrain. We were meeting some other folks coming across and had a moment for a photo op.

Here's the rest of the gang waiting for the show to begin.We had a great time and it was beautiful weather. Met some nice folks from Abqaiq.

Well, until next time. . .

Buongiorno

Greetings from bella Italia! It's been a while since I have posted anything. School seems to occupy most of my free time these days. I arrived in Florence yesterday (July 5th) to gorgeous sunny weather. Even though there are throngs of tourists everywhere I plan to have a relaxing and leisurely visit. Of course, I will have school work to do (it's never ending!). I am staying in the heart of the historic district on Piazza della Signoria, directly across from the world famous Uffizi Gallery. I've already had my fix of gelato - hazelnut flavor (my favorite!).

Here are a couple quick views I took while wondering around the area yesterday afternoon. I had lunch in the Piazza della Signoria at the Rivoire Cafe, which was obsenely overpriced (10 Euros for a beer!!!!!!) but had a wonderful view of the Palazzo Vecchio. I have appointments to visit the Uffizi Gallery tomorrow (necessary unless you want to wait in the hours long entrance line) and the Accademia Gallery on Wednesday. The Uffizi has famous Boticelli paintings and the Accademia has Michelangelo's David. David was originally mounted in front of the Palazzo Vecchio as seen here. But, of course, the actual statue is protected in a museum which requires a reservation unless one wants to wait again in hours long lines. The Italians only allow a certain number of people in a museum at a time so the wait can be long.

I will post more pictures in the days to come. I am considering a trip to Rome to coincide with President Obama's visit to see the Pope. Imagine, going all the way to Italy to see the President. Of course, the chances of seeing him are slim but at least I'll get another trip to see the Vatican and the Rome.

Ciao for now,
Tara