My Travels

I did some traveling.  Which was awesome, exhausting, expensive, and FABULOUS.

I spent a 4 day weekend in Maryland visiting the only cousin I have my age.  She grew up out East so we only got to see each other every 5 years growing up.  We've never been ridiculously close, but when we're together, we make it a GREAT time!

I got a fantastic deal on a flight out to MD so I jumped on it and made it happen.  Not a lot of our family (my dad has 10 brothers and sisters, mind you) has been out to see them, so it really felt good to go see their stomping grounds.  My cousin lives in College Park/Silver Spring right outside DC.  NEWSFLASH:  I did not realize how close together the states are out there.  She can be in like 4 different states within an hour.  Crazy talk.  We spent our days in DC being tourists and having a blast.

Highlights:  Eating at a food truck, The Holocaust Museum, walking everywhere and using public transit, the ZOO, meeting her boyfriend, the Newseum, carrot cake cupcakes, catching up, and spending time with her roomies, friends, and family!

*I would like to recommend The Newseum if you are travelling to DC.  It is a bit expensive, but it is a 2 day pass and it is unlike to usual museum.  The exhibits are great, and all focused on news, stories, journalists, etc.  All around the world and all types of events.  The had pieces of the Berlin Wall, the antenna from one of the World Trade Centers, tons of artifacts, and just general information you don't see at your average museum.

Policy School Happy Hour at The Meridian Pint

Cupcakes at Sticky Fingers (They were on Cupcake Wars)

View from the roof of The Newseum

Elephants at the Zoo (They have pandas, too!)

The INFAMOUS Carrot Cake

I happened to inadvertently plan the best time to visit.  It was Aria's birthday, and her sister was in town for a dentist appointment.  I was lucky to have dinner with the whole family and Aria's boyfriend on Saturday night at Fogo de Chao courtesy of Uncle Ben.  We filled up on amazing food and delicous  wine.  We also got to bring home the oh-so-coveted CARROT CAKE cupcakes.  Sound strange?  You've never had my Aunt Sara's carrot cake.  It is literally to die for.  My family will hurt each other for the last piece.  But we got 8ish cupcakes all to ourselves.  Fantastic.  The definition of NOM.  (Currently drooling, by the way)

My trip was awesome.  It was a bit cold, due to the winter storms out East that weekend, but we stayed dry, and my flights were on time!  It was so fun to go out there and try something new.  I will definitely be going to visit again.  We had lots of goodies, drinks at fun bars, made memories, and it was a great time!

My Sweetheart

It's only been a month...hah!  I will catch you up :)

Valentine's Day.

It's never really been a big thing for us.  We've never gone out to dinner on the day of, or done anything super special.  By choice.  It's just not that big of a deal for us.  But we usually do a little something for each other.

This year I went super weirdo original and bought Mike a star.  Yes, a real star.  In the sky.  Officially.  Through the International Star Registry.  I'm cool, I know :)  There was a Groupon for it, and I thought it would be a fun thing to remember because we'll have it forever!  They sent an extravagant certificate and a map of the sky so you can find your star.  Next time we are at my parent's house we will definitely be star searching.  Ours is near the Lynx constellation which is close to Ursa Major (The Big Dipper).

Mike was original this year, too.   I am very hard to surprise.  Because I'm a control freak organized psycho.  Okay...I'm not that bad.  But generally, I'm the planner in this relationship so to try to plan something without me is difficult.  He managed.  Because he is the best man ever.

He came home with gourmet everything from Lund's so we could do fondue at our house!  We got a fondue set from our Best Man Josh and his lady Kindra for the wedding.  And we finally got to use it!  He wouldn't let me help prepare anything, and it was all delicious!  (We also had steak, not pictured)

I also gave him a hint/request for a book I wanted.  It is the Pulitzer Prize winning photographs since 1942.  I wanted it after seeing the exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. (that's in my next post).  Some of the pictures bring you to tears.  It is really moving.  He ordered it on Amazon and it came a few days later :)

Valentine's Day was fantastic.  We did our own thing and it was fabulous.  It was our first official OLSON V-Day and I can still say that I'm so happy being here.  Lucky me!

SBPR 2013

I suppose I should tell you about our trip to Mexico, eh?  We spent 5 days just north of Puerto Vallarta in the city of Nuevo Vallarta.  Mike's small company takes everyone on a trip (one guest included) each year for their "Strategic Business Planning Retreat" AKA have a few meetings, plan for the year, and bond with each other.  Over late nights and lots of alcohol.

It really is a great way for everyone to spend time together outside of work.  And, of course, it is nice that spouses/SO's (that's what they call significant others) get to join and spend time with everyone as well.  They really pride themselves on a family atmosphere.  Many of them actually are family, and most people have known each other for years.  It's a great place and I'm really glad Mike ended up there.  Fun fact:  I'm the youngest person (besides kids).  Always fun, right?

We left on Thursday and returned on Monday.  5 days of straight sunshine, free drinks, sub-par food, and lots of stories.  We took it easy this year and didn't do any "excursioning".  Last year we went to some ruins, cliff jumping, snorkeling...crazy stuff.  This year we relaxed.  On company time and company money.  Woohoo!

We spent time on the beach, read books, walked on the shore.  So nice.  On Friday we went to a nearby town with another young married couple and a young single guy.  We were taxied to a restaurant...and ended up drinking, eating, and chatting for over 6 hours before heading home.  It was such a great time to unwind.  We all walked home on the beach in the dark.  It took forever, but I always remember those long walks.  I have walked home from downtown Oslo and downtown Minneapolis for over 3 miles at 3 in the morning.  I'll never forget those times, and I'm adding this one to the stack.

Sunset

Lots of margaritas consumed...like over 15 total

Saturday we did a company outing to go whale watching on a sailboat.  The crew was great and it was very informative as well as fun and crazy.  It was a bummer that I didn't feel that great :(  I think I'm starting to become more prone to motion sickness.  Ugh.  But we saw lots of whales and baby whales too.  There was also a great view of the mountains.

On the last evening and last morning, Mike and I played shuffleboard.  It. Was. Fantastic.  New favorite thing.  We had such a blast and it was really fun to do something new together.  

It was a great vacation and we really enjoyed the relaxing time together.  I am so happy with my relationship and feel so lucky to have Mike in my life.  Here's to many more years!