The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

Hoping your Thanksgiving was extra special this year! I came home for the holidays - ate at Taco Bell three times the first week - - I totally get that it would be your first meal on American soil.

See!!?? I KNEW you'd "get it". That crunchy, corny goodness.. you just can't get anything even remotely close to Taco Bell, or anything else Mexican-ish in Asia. Anywhere. Yes, cheap food is everywhere. We lived on Doner in Istanbul, but you just can't beat refried beans with a corn shell!!

I take it you are back on the field now??

I completely feel for Mikki. How very, very awful in the best of conditions but when you are traveling especially? Poor child.

You are so right!! WHen you are THAT sick, the only place you want to be is flat in bed! Luckily, this relapse only lasted until the next morning-not the 3 days like last time.

 

[glennbo123]

i wasnt sold on that game on the previews, excited to see what you think of it.

I'll be able to tell you late-December.

im hoping me and parker get the toy story mania game, i think he would enjoy playing that one with me alot.

he likes to drive the mario kart racing with me.

My favorite game to play with James is still Star Wars Battlefront. It's a first-person shooter game, so it's not for Parker yet, but in a few years maybe.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

See!!?? I KNEW you'd "get it". That crunchy, corny goodness.. you just can't get anything even remotely close to Taco Bell, or anything else Mexican-ish in Asia. Anywhere. Yes, cheap food is everywhere. We lived on Doner in Istanbul, but you just can't beat refried beans with a corn shell!!

I take it you are back on the field now??

Still Stateside - going back February. Just got back from El Chico- - can't get enough Mexican food!

 

[PennyLane1084]

All I have to say is Poor Mikki

I could not imagine trying to get through an airport feeling like that. Poor Kid.

Also I bet some good ol' American fast food was pretty darn good.

 

[All7OfUs]

I'll be able to tell you late-December.



My favorite game to play with James is still Star Wars Battlefront. It's a first-person shooter game, so it's not for Parker yet, but in a few years maybe.

I was at Target picking up some Christmas gifts and ran across Epic Mickey! I suddenly wish I had a WII!! Looks fun!

Still Stateside - going back February. Just got back from El Chico- - can't get enough Mexican food!

OK, gotcha. Steppesister just wants to know. I had Mexican today for lunch too, spinach quesadilla! Mmmm!

All I have to say is Poor Mikki

I could not imagine trying to get through an airport feeling like that. Poor Kid.

Also I bet some good ol' American fast food was pretty darn good.

Hiya, PL!

Imagine it. It was very real, and very not fun! It so totally was yummy to end it all with mom's good cooking, though!!!

 

[marvali]

And this was before the new tighter regulations, right? What happens when they start doing proctological exams?

I imagine then, that the "Don't touch my junk!" movement will really take on a different meaning.

"You touch my colon..........!"

He's still obligated to a date night out once a week, even after 22 years of wedded bliss.

Women!!! After all that energy we have to expend trying to run away when you're chasing us.......

I'm not sure what I'd prefer to be tortured with?

There are SOOOOO many directions this could go........

True- so this must have been like enough to fill a DHS pat down procedures book.

And you could still DRIVE???????

 

[All7OfUs]

Page 2?! Really????

Hopefully, that will be remedied after this monkey business kind of day- GI appt. for Zach (more on that soon), and the IEP Meeting at school. UGH!!

Update dependant on whether I go to Salem or not today.... Replies regarless

 

[Flossbolna]

Did I never comment on your update??? Sorry for being such a lazy reader!!

Poor Mikki, what a nightmare of a trip for her! I am wondering wether she might have a sensible stomach? If I am under real emotional stress, I can be sick just from that. I just wish for her that she will never have a similar experience ever.

But what a wonderful welcome you got from your parents! It is great to have so much support!

 

[Poolrat]

Yes, it seemed inevitable. But, really, that was the LAST of such misfortune. I was telling Mikki about my post last night, and we got to talking about other horrible, most wretched experiences, and she conceded that it was now a toss up between this and driving an hour to the hospital after she got run over by a car in Istanbul. Her foot was smashed (but miraculously nothing broken) , and she was in great pain. Talk about a way to get up close and personal to the real people!!

Getting run over by a car in Istanbul. and it was a toss up. Poor baby.

 

[All7OfUs]

5:30 is too early to be awake. For anything. Even given enough coffee. Even for Mickey throwing confetti and sappy sweet dances with petticoats and straw hats. But especially for hauling one’s inadequately trained carcass out to a subdivision in Kentucky with hills the size of Mt. Everest to run up in 90 degree weather with equally brutal humidity. But that’s just what we did. We got up at 5:30, to run our first 5K race.

I’ve said it before; I hate to be late to anything. Even if it’s to a dinner that features sheep’s brains and giving toasts in Kazakh. So, we left in plenty of time to arrive before the start time of 7:00. In fact, we left with plenty of time to use the bathroom, stretch out, check in, and waltz up to the starting line. Buuuuuuuuuuuut, you don’t really think that scenario played out, do you? Certainly not, because this story from start to finish has drama, excitement, and, and, and… well, it has drama and excitement.

At 6:00 we headed out the door, the sun had yet to rear its blazing face, and we cruised out the rural highway. Mom knew “right where she was going”. In fact, she said that for 10 miles past the entrance to the Country Club entrance. Then she apologized the entire 10 miles back. At that point, it would be a miracle that we’d make it in time to figure out where to go, check-in and pee. But we did. Unfortunately, there was no time to stretch out, which probably didn’t matter one iota. I made it to the “starting line” JUST IN TIME, and I use the term starting line VERY loosely. Let me elaborate…

This was a VERY low key race. I think there were less than 100 people total from all age ranges from 5-95, and all abilities from walkers to super fast college students who obviously think running is actually fun. You could tell who they were by the clothes they wore. ( I’ll leave it at that.) So, the “starting line” was really just a sort of mob standing on the street near an intersection.

Just before the gun went off (like about 10 seconds) they “briefed us” on the course, then shot the signal. THANK GOD it started downhill. I think if it had been an uphill start, I’d have quit after about 35 seconds trading in my shorts for a latte. The course wound around quite a bit, snaking its way through the subdivision up every hill in it. In fact, many times it reminded me of the same route my grandparents took when they walked to school in the snow. But this was in Kentucky. In August. By 7:05, I was dripping in sweat, which was utterly shocking to someone who had just spent all summer in Kazakhstan training in 100 degree weather and zero humidity. I often didn’t even break a glisten there. About 1/10 of the way through the race I started to feel like a 5 year old on the way to Orlando. My mantra: Gotta be almost ½ now. Gotta be almost ½ way now. The track attendants who were stationed along the course to tell us where to turn had no idea at what kilometer they were stationed. So asking them how much further was an exercise in utter futility. Maybe that was a good thing.

I started off ahead of a lady who I mistakenly thought was WAY more out of shape than me. She was significantly overweight, but I’ve come to learn that means NOTHING. I chased after her the ENTIRE race, falling further and further behind as I took walk breaks. She never took one stinkin’ walk break. I was stunned! And my awe for her stamina and determination grew exponentially during the race.

The only other significant event I remember was about 4/5 into the course. The fire dept. had opened a fire hydrant and parked their trucks to observe. Even if they never fought one fire for the next 6 months, they deserved their salaries for that one ½ day’s work. Seriously, I was pretty close to spontaneously combusting right there under the Blazing Bluegrass Sky. My short little stubby legs came close to turning into Thanksgiving cranberry sauce about the time I saw some orange construction cones that signaled the end was near. Hallelujah, sound the glory trumpet! I was actually going to survive it! When I got close enough to really see the crowd of 5 spectators cheering us on, I also spied a time clock. Time? 43 minutes. My goal? 45 minutes- nearly 15 minute miles. I know, please, hold back your amazement and awe. Astonishingly fast as that was, there were others faster. Like almost everyone except the walkers. Speaking of walkers, I really could have used one for the next week. Remind me to rent one before my next race. Anyway, I really poured on the gas at the end, and actually crossed the finish line at exactly 45 minutes going so fast they talked about holding the next event at the Salt Flats.

And that was that. The race was over, and now it was time to join the after “party” that took the shape more of a grab a Chick Fil-A (Brook, you ought to appreciate that.) and wait a super long time. By now, my parents had come out the Club to pick us up, and assumed we’ be leaving right away. I think they were bummed about waiting for us, but we had to see if we actually placed. Yeah, right. So, we politely clapped for all the kids, youth, college kids and younger set.




Finally, they got to the old farts in our age class, and Holy fart knocking cow!!! He actually medaled!!!!!




Mike was first to get his 3rd place medal. I politely clapped and secretly got really jealous that he was going to get one and I wasn’t. Then knocking me out of my green eyed stupor, my name was called!!! And not for 3rd place, but for 2nd. Only one other old fart was faster than me, and boy did that feel GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!!!




Of course, there were probably only 3 of us in my class- heck, maybe there were even 2. I didn’t give a crap. I was in the best shape I've been in for a VERY long time. In fact, maybe even the best shape I've been in since having child number 2 in 1993, and I was feeling good for me trip to Disney World that would be in just about a week and a half!!!! Plus, I had a medal, and I was going home a (tired- can't you tell from the picture? ) champion because I had actually finished a 5K race for the first time ever without dying, and therefore was having a really Magical Day!!! Promise me, you’ll have one too!!






And now, to help you have a really magical day, here are 2 more letters to guess:





I'm clearing out my PM box now, so give me a bit to sift through it, and delete... Then by all means, guess on!! Have fun!

 

[All7OfUs]

"You touch my colon..........!"

Women!!! After all that energy we have to expend trying to run away when you're chasing us.......

You men never seem to run very fast or far, unless it's, oh never mind.

There are SOOOOO many directions this could go........

North, south....

And you could still DRIVE???????

Barely, my friend. Barely.

Did I never comment on your update??? Sorry for being such a lazy reader!!

Poor Mikki, what a nightmare of a trip for her! I am wondering wether she might have a sensible stomach? If I am under real emotional stress, I can be sick just from that. I just wish for her that she will never have a similar experience ever.

But what a wonderful welcome you got from your parents! It is great to have so much support!

I have ZERO room to talk, coming over to your thread next.

I am wondering too. I know Mike sure does. NEVER fails he is sick on our travels- days in bed in Istanbul, same with THailand. Very frustrating for me, but I've learned to just hit the sights with or without him. But given that this went through more than just one, seems like it was a bona fide virus.

THey are GREAT support and encouragement to us. I am very blessed!

Getting run over by a car in Istanbul. and it was a toss up. Poor baby.

I thought someone might catch it.

It was something she will NEVER forget- ever!

 

[Poolrat]

thought someone might catch it.

It was something she will NEVER forget- ever!

Now that she lived through it .... she can laugh about it.

Sending you a Pm about the signs.

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats on your amazing finish! There is no way I could have run that race and survived. You have a lot to be proud of and so does Mike.

 

[Flossbolna]

2 letters without any clues???

I said it before, but once again: congratulations on finishing your race!!

It sounds like a very nice event because of it being so small. And I know what you mean about needing a walker the days after the race! After my 10k my legs took several days until they started to feel normal again... That's actually one reason why I wonder wether I really want to run a 1/2 marathon at WDW - it would really be a bit disadvantageous to park touring the days after the race...

And you look really great with your medal!!

 

[glennbo123]

Holy fart knocking cow! Great job on the race!

 

[marvali]

Holy fart knocking cow!

I've heard Liesa referred to as a lot of things (mostly by her), but even I wouldn't tread in THAT water!!! It's one thing to be agreeable, but sheesh......

Great job on the race! Not surprised Mike did so well. He spent so much time leading up to the race making frequent runs to front yards and such!!!

Okay, now off to research those letters! Well, at least that "S" since you apparently had sympathy on us and finally gave us a GIMME with the other one.....

 

[jenbear123]

CONGRATS on the run. Wow, what a great accomplishment. That's kinda crazy the slightly heavier woman was able to keep ahead of you. Maybe she had more muscle tone. At any rate, you did amazing!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We got up at 5:30, to run our first 5K race.

*shudder*

You are stronger than me. This would feel like getting up extra-early for an IRS audit.

I think there were less than 100 people total from all age ranges from 5-95, and all abilities from walkers to super fast college students who obviously think running is actually fun. You could tell who they were by the clothes they wore. ( I’ll leave it at that.)

They probably like brussels sprouts, too.

Anyway, I really poured on the gas at the end, and actually crossed the finish line at exactly 45 minutes going so fast they talked about holding the next event at the Salt Flats.

Good job hitting your goal! I can imagine the trail of fire you left behind, and it's beautiful.

The race was over, and now it was time to join the after “party” that took the shape more of a grab a Chick Fil-A (Brook, you ought to appreciate that.)

Chick Fil-A > Taco Bell. Sorry, I had to say it.

Finally, they got to the old farts in our age class, and Holy fart knocking cow!!! He actually medaled!!!!!

Mike was first to get his 3rd place medal. I politely clapped and secretly got really jealous that he was going to get one and I wasn’t. Then knocking me out of my green eyed stupor, my name was called!!! And not for 3rd place, but for 2nd. Only one other old fart was faster than me, and boy did that feel GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUD!!!

That's AWESOME! Great job both of you!

And thanks also for giving me a new creative substitute for profanity!

 

[All7OfUs]

No time for responses right now, as I head out the door to get to Salem, but I had go give credit where credit is due..

"Holy fart knocking cow" is something only the Greatness of Great Biscuit could come up with. I miss GB!!!

 

[glennbo123]

"Holy fart knocking cow" is something only the Greatness of Great Biscuit could come up with. I miss GB!!!

Exactly.

By the way, I meant to comment on the Kentucky humidity. I agree with you, I've never experienced humidity quite like Kentucky's. Back before kids, Judy and I took a couple of short-term mission trips to the coal-mining areas and we learned that we each had to pack 2 towels. It took 2 days for them to dry, so we'd alternate them every other day. On our first trip, when we only packed 1 each, we'd constantly have a damp towel.