Quiero viajar . . . pero no tengo nadie para ir conmigo.

I want to go on a vacation! Since beginning my job I have taken 1 real vacation, where I left my laptop at home and really didn't think about work for several days. I think I am about due. Plus, I have the time (pretty much) and the money to do it.

I really don't think it would be fun to go anywhere alone, in all honesty. I want someone to go with, and since many of the people that I would enjoy spending time with do not have the flexibilty, money or time, I am left to go alone (cue Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again").

Alas, some ideas:

• Peru - to visit Macchu Picchu again (before it disappears), and to do an Amazon tour. Hike, eat aji and anticuchos, drink Pisco, and speak Spanish! Major pro: exchange rate!
• China - to visit China roommate! Pro: exchange rate Con: $$$ airfare, plus China-roommate would not be able to take time off work to travel around.
• Paris - each time I visit I love it more! Con: USD to Euro exchange rate and the fact that I would want someone to share it with!
• Poland - hike in the Tatra mountains, visit PJP sites, and eat good food! Plus, I could see some family (motherland!). Con: Exchange rate and the fact that I know very few Polish words and phrases.
• Vienna/Austria - I want to hangout in coffeeshops and look at pretty buildings. Plus, Robert would probably go with me. Con: Exchange rate. Pro: Train travel would let me see other places like Budapest, Prague, and Ljubljana, too.
• Boston - I have never been, but have always thought that I would like it. Why not find out? Pro: Julie lives there!
• Curacao - it looks pretty in postcards and is not an expensive flight. Plus, they speak Spanish there.
• Mexico - to see what kind of trouble I can get in to. Pro: exchange rate. Con: Probably kinda dangerous for a gringa to go sola.

Let's see . . .

I work with a sincerely great group of people. I don't mean to sound sappy or over-done about it, but upon the departure of two of them this week, and thinking about my own departure that is set for the end of the year, I have been thinking of how much I appreciate each of them. In different ways, so much so, they are truly friends rather than just people I work with.

There are people that I have worked with in the past that have been fine co-workers, however I have never been able to reflect on them and feel any real connection. I wouldn't even think of them outside of work or tell stories to my friends or family about them. With this group, I can think of many things that I appreciate about each of them and I am so glad and thankful to have them in my life. I believe that everyone in your life is there for a reason, whether it is to make you stronger, give you a certain experience, make you question something, or even just make you laugh.

A is genuinely a great person. He is kind and sincere in all he does, and always keeps things fun. I think he would be our clown. He is also great at giving advice and offering help, work-wise or other, and I think that he really cares about each of us.

T is fun and is always up for a concert! She surprises me with random acts of kindness, even if it is something as small as going on a coffee run, offering to grab lunch, or a Diet Dr Pepper from downstairs when she knows I can't and would really appreciate it.

D is such a fun person and we get along great. We are on the same wavelength about many things and I can talk to her about anything!

J is quirky (but in a good way, most of the time) and clever. He actually reminds me somewhat of an ex-boyfriend of mine in his approaches to things, very analytical in his perspectives.

B is always a gentleman and is very kind. I appreciate his courtesy, as it is not all that common.

M is just a awesome guy all-around! He is smart, kind, and his sense of humor is killer. He makes me smile.

K is really put together and is a great listener. She is very considerate and warm.

Following suit - 40 Firsts.

1. First screen name was Yeth5no4. Don't even know what it means.
   
   
2. First computer was an IBM. All computers were IBMs until I got my work laptop.
   
   
3. First major purchase of my life was when I was 16, it was my first car. I paid for it all by myself!
   
   
4. First car was a 1992 Mazda 626 LX. Red with tan interior and a sun-roof!
   
   
5. First kiss was freshman year of high school.
   
   
6. First boyfriend was Dan Ciskey, part 1 lasted freshman to sophomore year of high school. Part 2 was summer before sophomore year until December of 2006.
   
   
7. First time I snuck out of the house was during Spring Break sophomore year of high school.
   
   
8. First time I stayed out past curfew was that same Spring Break. First time I got caught was that next summer.
   
   
9. First best friend was Erica Rudolph. She is married and is a french teacher in Effingham, IL. Yay, Facebook.
   
   
10. First date was to go see Entrapment, freshman year of high school.
    
    
11. First time I started a car was when I was 10. It was my now step-mom's BMW.
    
    
12. First time I drove with my learner's permit was with my uncle who is a pilot. After flying a plane, first time drivers don't scare him.
    
    
13. First new car I bought was a 2008 Honda Fit Sport. Storm silver. Beautiful.
    
    
14. First time I took out a loan was for that new Honda Fit.
    
    
15. First time I paid off a loan was 6 months after I got the Honda after I sold it. This also started the first time in my life since I was 16 that I did not have a car.
    
    
16. First time I have not had cable television started this August.
    
    
17. First car accident was senior year of high school, taking my then boyfriend, Nick, to work during the first snow of the year. Slid, spun, and hit 2 other cars.
    
    
18. First ticket was when I was 21. Speeding. Second ticket came 8 days later. Failure to stop at a stop-sign. Got out of that one.
    
    
19. First job was when I was 15. ISU Dining Services. Baller! $5.50 an hour!
    
    
20. First time I lived away from my family was when I lived in Spain in 2005.
    
    
21. First cell phone was when I was a junior in high school. It was a little Nokia bar phone. The one without the external antenna.
    
    
22. First apartment was in Edgewater in Chicago, summer of 2006.
    
    
23. First major league baseball game was Chicago White Sox. That was when Frank Thomas was playing!
    
    
24. First time outside of the country was to Huatulco, Mexico when I was 12.
    
    
25. First dog was Buster Brown (Springer Spaniel). He only lasted about a year and then we gave him back to the breeder. First cats were Faulkner and Crystal (Siamese).
    
    
26. First time in the Gulf of Mexico was when I was 11, St. Petersburg, Florida.
    
    
27. First time I got a D in a class was junior year of college. Spanish Linguistics.
    
    
28. First time I travelled for work was to St. Louis, MO. in December 2006.
    
    
29. First time that I moved was when I was 3, from Bloomington to Des Plaines.
    
    
30. First funeral that I went to was my maternal grandmother when I was 5. I don't remember much.
    
    
31. First funeral that I remember well is my paternal grandmother, when I was 18. It's also the first time that I participated in a funeral as a reader.
    
    
32. First CD owned was Hootie and the Blowfish - Cracked Rear-view.
    
    
33. First tape I owned was Ace of Base - The Sign.
    
    
34. First concert I went to was sophomore year of high school, 99X Fest in Peoria, IL. Coal Chamber and Sevendust. First concert that I wanted to go to, but was not allowed, was Korn on the Follow the Leader tour.
    
    
35. First time I was on stage was a ballet recital when I was 4. First time I acted/sang on stage was when I was in 5th grade - "A Pioneers Story". First time I worked behind the scenes was sophomore year of high school.
    
    
36. First bar that I went to was Rosie's in Bloomington, IL, the midnight that I turned 21. I think I had a white russian.
    
    
37. First wedding that I was my Aunt Maryann's. I was a flower girl. I had to wear a blue dress and was jealous of my cousin, Angel, getting to wear pink.
    
    
38. First wedding that I was in as an adult was my friend Laura's, summer of 2007, maid of honor.
    
    
39. First time I got stitches (13 of them) was when I was 2, almost 3. Splitting my knee open on a heat register.
    
    
40. First time I quit a job was when I was 21. ISU Dining was seasonal, so it doesn't really count. I worked at Steak 'n' Shake from the age of 16 to 21.