Blogs from Alexandria, Virginia, United States, North America - page 2

It is Friday, June 25th. I don't think I could be more organized. I have thought this through so thoroughly there can not possibly be one item I have forgotten. From audiobooks and power cords, to frying pans and spatulas. I am ready. I am also ready to escape this heat. It has been over 95 degrees the past several days here in Alexandria, VA. Heading north will hopefully provide some relief. I'm eager for the windows down, Bulletproof blaring, and and my ever reliable navigator, Justin, to be passed out in the passenger seat. Justin's been working really long hours, so all the trips planning and details have been left up to me. Currently, Justin has a knife, pillow, blanket, and fantasy football magazine packed. If you throw in some boxers and duct tape, I'm ... read more

Recap of Brian's morning of April 24. (His day to fly out to NM) Thursday night: Brian calls cab company to pick him up Friday morning at 7:30AM for 9:00AM flight Friday morning: 7:30AM - Brian watches cartoons and eats fruit loops as he waits for the cab company to call him to tell him they are waiting outside. 7:45AM - Brian is perplexed as to why the cab hasn't called yet and decides to call them.... He is panic stricken when he realizes his phone is disconnected. ***Beads of sweat drop into his cereal bowl*** He forgot that he told Sprint to cancel his service that day. 7:50AM - Brian frantically gathers his stuff (backpack and a 40 lb. non-rolling duffle bag) and sprints to a near by office building where he used to work. ... read more

well we made it back to the US, safe and sound! it's been a few days, but we figured we'd update about the last leg of the trip before it all slips our mind.. so here goes: we got up for our last day in banos, and spent some time wandering the shops and markets, acquiring gifts for ourselves and for some people back home. we then headed over to the bus station and got ourselves on the next bus headed for quito. it amazes me how nice the busses in ecuador are. we weren't even on anything special, but it was equipped with a flat panel TV that picked up signal as we were driving and were actually able to watch the Columbian hostage situation unfold on the news as we travelled. It also had ... read more

The issue that I've always had when traveling is what do I pack?? For some reason, this particular trip is driving me nuts.... what do I pack?? What's the weather like? What kind of shoes do I bring?? It was 10 PM at night and I still had no clue. So I had to stop thinking and start throwing stuff into a suitcase.... but this brought up another issue... do I go with my standard 22 in suitcase?? Or do I go with the larger 26 in? The 22 in works except I have no room for my hair stuff or for extra stuff to bring home.... The 26 in works as well... plenty of room for clothes, plenty of room for hair stuff... plenty of room for new stuff.... except it's very big... what should ... read more

Please forgive the title...sometimes my characteristic verbosity and penchant for superfluous writing gets the better of me. Well, I made it home, obviously. Coming home wasnt everything I anticipated in some ways, but in some ways it exceeded my expectations. Overall and completely...its definitely good to be home. Its funny though, that my parents left to go out of town 2 days after I got back though. They had a long planned trip to Massachusetts, and I chose not to go in favor of working. I have a temporary paid-internship at Classical Movements Inc, essentially a travel agency, but for huge organizations like the National Symphony Orch. and the Boston Philarmonic and such. It is tour season, so it is really hectic at the office, but I like it. I'll also be getting my security clearance ... read more