Blogs from Ventura, California, United States, North America

After my amazing flight and a quick checkin through customs, I was able to quickly get my bags and boarded the crowded bus to the car rental agency - Thrifty. It was difficult to maneuver all my bags once I got off the bus and through the line to get my car. I'd ordered a mid-size SUV and when I went to pick it, I saw a beautiful bright blue Ford Escape - my baby! I went straight for it, but it was locked, so i picked a Nissan Rogue - it was an ok car, but the one thing I didn't like is that it was difficult to get in and out of for a short person. It was 4:15 and I hoped that I would miss the main crush of rush hour traffic on ... read more

Summer Vacation 2012! The bags assembled, the road warrior provisions procured, the route selected and a mix of cost effective and splurge accomodations booked - here we go. We are sitting quietly this afternoon (on vacation, did I mention that?) readying to leave for three weeks on our annual road trip. With stops in Palm Springs, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and a soft landing at the end in California's beautiful Central Coast, we begin this year's journey with a much less heavy heart and head of worry. Wish it was totally cancer free, but to no avail. While I won't be making this trip gripping my cell phone in anticipation of details about my mom's cancer treatment, this year we are thinking of Heidi and her very aggressive fight against round two. I'm hoping ... read more

Very early Saturday morning, I had my first garage sale. Let me just say: Without Lauren, I probably would have gone nuts. She came over briefly the night before with sustenance and preparations. I thought I would be ok - since Fugro first told me they would be potentially sending me away for two years, I had been mentally prepared - making plans for what I wanted to keep, store, take and toss. I even bought little colored stickers! But man, I was scrounging the night before. At 5:30 am I woke up to open the garage, and Lauren was there with coffee at 5:45. We pulled everything out and it soon began. My dresser, coffee table and a shelf were the first to go, giving me $60 to start. Lauren was able to flag down ... read more

This is my first entry on my international field assignment to DUBAI! I figure I can get the quirks out before I leave. I honestly cannot believe this is actually happening. I've been told since February that I would be going somewhere - first it was Calgary, then Panama (which I was devastated didn't work out) and finally Dubai, for two years. First, let me say that I feel a little guilty at how neglectful I've been - I've been so focused and consumed with even just the idea of leaving that I have had little time for much else. I haven't called my family as much as I would like, but we did see a lot of each other this past year, and I know they understand. I will definitely miss my family - it's ... read more

Departure morning is finally here! I am supposed to be packing my laptop and not posting a blog, but I was packed about a week ago and am all showered up and raring to go. Today we head to San Francisco, where I imagine a culinary and cultural adventure awaits. We are staying right smack dab in the middle of the city - all within striking distance of all the places we hope to visit this trip. My wish list: Dim sum at Yank Sing - www.yanksing.com The California Academy of Sciences - www.calacademy.org Roast crab at Thanh Long, home of the famous roasted crab on the secret kitchen dishes section of the menu and made with secret spices. Who doesn't love secrets!?! - www.anfamily.com The Picasso exhibit at the DeYoung - deyoung.famsf.org The amazing irish ... read more