Littlest sister & I went to Toledo to see So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 tour. It was A-MAZE-ING. Definitely worth the price of the tickets! However, the drive left much to be desired. According to Yahoo!maps, it was to take us about 3 hours and 40 minutes from my home. It took us about that to get there and a little more to come back (since we stopped for gas and I drove a little more slowly because it was hella dark). So, we left my house around 2:15pm. The show was at 7:30. Got there with plenty of time. Parked right across the street from the arena. Walked a little through town hoping to find a great foodie place to grab some grub, however, we sadly became aware that there was a homecoming dance at a Toledo h.s. the same night and thusly hoards of fancily dressed high schoolers were swarming the local establishments, leaving us foodless. That turned out to be okay as neither of us were extraordinarly hungry.
Pre-show we did a little shopping for some fun SYTYCD tour merchandise. I got the standard tour shirt and a great pair of legwarmers (which I wore tonight for class). Love them both.
The show was amazing. LOVED it. Will post some awesome pics I was able to snag during the performance. We had near perfect seats in the center of the arena with just enough slope so we could see the entire stage.
The show ended and we were on the road to home around 10:15. After a minor detour (thanks to a wonderful bridge being out) and driving through a semi-scuzzy part of town (saw a guy we think either just stole stuff or mugged someone, but no prostitutes) we headed home and bid a fond farewell to Toledo, the city we had only spent about 4 hours in.
Upon our eventual arrival in Meadville (around 2:30am), after a long drive with much singing, laughing and other silly behavior, we decided we definitely needed some grub and stopped at McDonalds. We got ourselves some chicken nuggets and french fries, shared them with Daisy and Rocki and collapsed into our respective beds.
It was a great night-- though I don't think I ever want to drive to Toledo and back in the same day again.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
So much to do, so little time
J asked the other day what I would like for Christmas this year. My response was something like, "Another hour or two a day..."
September has felt like May this year. I'm not kidding-- I've been running non-stop during the week, which I expect, but I've been booked solid every weekend. And as much as I love the month of May... I. HATE. IT. The busy-ness is too much. On top of the endless running, I got sick and was out of it for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. ICK. But I pushed through, like the trooper I am, and this weekend was almost boring we had so little to do :) Next weekend- not so much... J's going to be gone to NC with Scott for a Wake Forest football game and some NC fall golfing while I stay home and go to a dance show in Toledo with Samantha. Sunday will be our nephew's last Little Gridders football game of this year, so I'll be at that too. It will be busy, but not nearly as busy as the last few weeks.
On a downside, our neighbors got a new dog, I think (or it's been visiting for a few days) and it is tied outside right now. When they tie it out, it whimpers and barks nearly non-stop. It is irrrrrrratating. Something needs to be done about that before I throw open my back door and start screaming. Stuff like that gets on my nerves. UGH.
September has felt like May this year. I'm not kidding-- I've been running non-stop during the week, which I expect, but I've been booked solid every weekend. And as much as I love the month of May... I. HATE. IT. The busy-ness is too much. On top of the endless running, I got sick and was out of it for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. ICK. But I pushed through, like the trooper I am, and this weekend was almost boring we had so little to do :) Next weekend- not so much... J's going to be gone to NC with Scott for a Wake Forest football game and some NC fall golfing while I stay home and go to a dance show in Toledo with Samantha. Sunday will be our nephew's last Little Gridders football game of this year, so I'll be at that too. It will be busy, but not nearly as busy as the last few weeks.
On a downside, our neighbors got a new dog, I think (or it's been visiting for a few days) and it is tied outside right now. When they tie it out, it whimpers and barks nearly non-stop. It is irrrrrrratating. Something needs to be done about that before I throw open my back door and start screaming. Stuff like that gets on my nerves. UGH.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Long time, no post :(
So, it has been a little bit since I last posted... well other than the list I put up from Kelsey's tag a few minutes ago.
After I finished up my last two nights of summer classes, I spent a few days scrambling around working on things for school and the dance studio and then Jason and I packed up our vehicle and headed on down for a few days of fun & sun in Virginia Beach. Our good friends rented a house for the week and invited friends & family to come stay, so not able to resist a trip to the beach that would include lots of rest, relaxation and sunbathing, we jumped. I have lots of fun pictures from that week, so I'll be sure to put up a few in the next day or so.
Upon returning we spent time "recovering" and working in our classrooms. We also went to the Crawford County Fair a few evenings-- one of our end of summer traditions.
Yesterday, we had our neice & nephew for the day. We took a trip up to Panama Rocks in New York for some fun hiking and climbing. Then came back and took them to the fair for the demolition derby and fireworks. It was a great day and ended with a great night.
Today we took the kids up to Ky's football game. It was a dreary, rainy mess of day, but I suppose it should help to make it easier to head back to school tomorrow.
Monday and Tuesday this week are teacher in-service/work days and Wednesday we welcome back the students. Yikes.... summer is over!
After I finished up my last two nights of summer classes, I spent a few days scrambling around working on things for school and the dance studio and then Jason and I packed up our vehicle and headed on down for a few days of fun & sun in Virginia Beach. Our good friends rented a house for the week and invited friends & family to come stay, so not able to resist a trip to the beach that would include lots of rest, relaxation and sunbathing, we jumped. I have lots of fun pictures from that week, so I'll be sure to put up a few in the next day or so.
Upon returning we spent time "recovering" and working in our classrooms. We also went to the Crawford County Fair a few evenings-- one of our end of summer traditions.
Yesterday, we had our neice & nephew for the day. We took a trip up to Panama Rocks in New York for some fun hiking and climbing. Then came back and took them to the fair for the demolition derby and fireworks. It was a great day and ended with a great night.
Today we took the kids up to Ky's football game. It was a dreary, rainy mess of day, but I suppose it should help to make it easier to head back to school tomorrow.
Monday and Tuesday this week are teacher in-service/work days and Wednesday we welcome back the students. Yikes.... summer is over!
I've been tagged!
I'm supposed to create a list of 30 things about me... Kelsey (Chapsticks, Cameras, and Crowns) tagged everyone who likes chocolate and since I belong to Chocolate Addicts Anonymous (or should) I guess I better get started... :)
1. I love plants and flowers but don't know much about caring for them and until recently usually had a hand in their death if in my possession.
2. If I could, I would be a perpetual student. I love learning.
3. I'm a nerd.
4. Tying back to #2, I would love to take 1-2 classes a semester for the rest of my life, but they would have to be classes I wanted to take, not necessarily had to take.
5. I love to nap.
6. I am a ridiculous night owl-- I do my best work in the evening and into the night time.
7. I am not a morning person. I am generally grumpy for a bit in the morning (though I am a million times better than I used to be!)
8. I collect stuffed animal monkeys. I have since I was little. My first stuffed animal was 'favorite monkey' which I lost on a shopping excursion sometime in my toddler days.
9. I love to shop. I like shopping for clothing, office supplies, shoes, paint, etc. The only thing I get bored shopping for is flowers/plants (see # 1 as a possible reason why). And the best part is, I even like shopping for other people. It doesn't have to be for me :)
10. If I could change careers every 2-5 years I would. I think this is because I have so many interests that could turn career.
11. I love dancing. I have danced since I was 3 and never want to quit.
12. I turned my passion for dancing into a 'career' by purchasing a dance studio. That was the biggest decision I have made at this point in my life. Getting married was far easier than buying the studio.
13. I love photography. If I didn't own a studio, I would take photography classes and either shoot pics part-time or work for an already established photographer.
14. My dream job would be to make it on Broadway, however, I think I like it better as a dream job than if it would ever have become reality. I have met quite a few kids trying to cut it and it is not. so. glamorous.
15. I have a passion for music. I love discovering new artists and songs, but I also love to return to old favorites. I can remember lyrics to songs that were very popular when I was a child.
16. Since I turned 29, my memory has gone downhill. Oh, sure, I can still remember song lyrics from 20+ years ago but what I ate for breakfast sometimes is mystifying by 10am.
17. I like to write. I don't feel like I have solid ideas.
18. I am a bad decision maker. I worry about what each scenerio might entail depending on outcomes, etc, and consider all options and avenues (no matter how unlikely they might seem) in order to feel like I've made the best choice. Sadly, this applies to nearly all decisions I make, from what to have for dinner to whether or not to purchase a dance studio.
19. I am terribly afraid of bridges over water-- mostly the driving over them part. I have this irrational fear because I worry that the bridge might collapse and my car will fall into the water. I might survive the fall, which is good, but become trapped underwater in the car and slowly suffocate/drown. I know, it's pretty irrational.
20. I also am pretty claustrophobic. I think this also goes along with the fear of suffocation/drowning.
21. I am an extreme over-achiever and have been for as long as I can remember.
22. I am an extreme procrastinator and have been for as long as I can remember... however most procrastinators say waiting until the last minute produces their best work. For me, it is true.
23. I want to learn how to play guitar. I have a guitar. It's been out of its box 2 times since I got it. I still want to learn.
24. Although owning and operating the dance studio is a business, consists of lots of hard work, and usually stresses me out, I love doing it. I love my students. I love teaching them. I love dancing. I love the squeals of delight from the little ones having fun and the exclamations of success from the older ones when things come together for them.
25. I love my doggies and kitty and treat them like human children in some ways. They are definitely spoiled.
26. I love to read. I definitely don't have enough time to read as often as I would like.
27. I love to watch movies. I generally like almost any type, except extreme horror/slasher movies.
28. I think I love to read and watch movies because of the opportunity to exit reality and immerse myself into "someone" else's life/experiences that I will probably never have.
29. I am addicted to facebook. I have a blackberry phone and I check facebook way too often-- though during the school year I do cut back a lot more because I'm much busier.
30. Although I usually try to put up a good front, it is very hard for me to be thick-skinned. I take things personally and often want to cry about stuff. This is not good in my profession. I am also incredibly self-conscious and although I really try to control it, my self-esteem and self-confidence wavers constantly.
Now, there are few people who really read my blog, so I guess I'll tag anyone who happens to read this entry and hasn't already filled this out :)
1. I love plants and flowers but don't know much about caring for them and until recently usually had a hand in their death if in my possession.
2. If I could, I would be a perpetual student. I love learning.
3. I'm a nerd.
4. Tying back to #2, I would love to take 1-2 classes a semester for the rest of my life, but they would have to be classes I wanted to take, not necessarily had to take.
5. I love to nap.
6. I am a ridiculous night owl-- I do my best work in the evening and into the night time.
7. I am not a morning person. I am generally grumpy for a bit in the morning (though I am a million times better than I used to be!)
8. I collect stuffed animal monkeys. I have since I was little. My first stuffed animal was 'favorite monkey' which I lost on a shopping excursion sometime in my toddler days.
9. I love to shop. I like shopping for clothing, office supplies, shoes, paint, etc. The only thing I get bored shopping for is flowers/plants (see # 1 as a possible reason why). And the best part is, I even like shopping for other people. It doesn't have to be for me :)
10. If I could change careers every 2-5 years I would. I think this is because I have so many interests that could turn career.
11. I love dancing. I have danced since I was 3 and never want to quit.
12. I turned my passion for dancing into a 'career' by purchasing a dance studio. That was the biggest decision I have made at this point in my life. Getting married was far easier than buying the studio.
13. I love photography. If I didn't own a studio, I would take photography classes and either shoot pics part-time or work for an already established photographer.
14. My dream job would be to make it on Broadway, however, I think I like it better as a dream job than if it would ever have become reality. I have met quite a few kids trying to cut it and it is not. so. glamorous.
15. I have a passion for music. I love discovering new artists and songs, but I also love to return to old favorites. I can remember lyrics to songs that were very popular when I was a child.
16. Since I turned 29, my memory has gone downhill. Oh, sure, I can still remember song lyrics from 20+ years ago but what I ate for breakfast sometimes is mystifying by 10am.
17. I like to write. I don't feel like I have solid ideas.
18. I am a bad decision maker. I worry about what each scenerio might entail depending on outcomes, etc, and consider all options and avenues (no matter how unlikely they might seem) in order to feel like I've made the best choice. Sadly, this applies to nearly all decisions I make, from what to have for dinner to whether or not to purchase a dance studio.
19. I am terribly afraid of bridges over water-- mostly the driving over them part. I have this irrational fear because I worry that the bridge might collapse and my car will fall into the water. I might survive the fall, which is good, but become trapped underwater in the car and slowly suffocate/drown. I know, it's pretty irrational.
20. I also am pretty claustrophobic. I think this also goes along with the fear of suffocation/drowning.
21. I am an extreme over-achiever and have been for as long as I can remember.
22. I am an extreme procrastinator and have been for as long as I can remember... however most procrastinators say waiting until the last minute produces their best work. For me, it is true.
23. I want to learn how to play guitar. I have a guitar. It's been out of its box 2 times since I got it. I still want to learn.
24. Although owning and operating the dance studio is a business, consists of lots of hard work, and usually stresses me out, I love doing it. I love my students. I love teaching them. I love dancing. I love the squeals of delight from the little ones having fun and the exclamations of success from the older ones when things come together for them.
25. I love my doggies and kitty and treat them like human children in some ways. They are definitely spoiled.
26. I love to read. I definitely don't have enough time to read as often as I would like.
27. I love to watch movies. I generally like almost any type, except extreme horror/slasher movies.
28. I think I love to read and watch movies because of the opportunity to exit reality and immerse myself into "someone" else's life/experiences that I will probably never have.
29. I am addicted to facebook. I have a blackberry phone and I check facebook way too often-- though during the school year I do cut back a lot more because I'm much busier.
30. Although I usually try to put up a good front, it is very hard for me to be thick-skinned. I take things personally and often want to cry about stuff. This is not good in my profession. I am also incredibly self-conscious and although I really try to control it, my self-esteem and self-confidence wavers constantly.
Now, there are few people who really read my blog, so I guess I'll tag anyone who happens to read this entry and hasn't already filled this out :)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Germany
Earlier this summer we went to Germany for 15 days with the Meadville German Travel Club. It was an amazing trip, one I hope to do again in about 6 years. We flew out of JFK in NYC and flew into Frankfurt in Germany. From there it was a whirlwind of travel-- we visited Rothenburg, a virtually unchanged medieval town that is still walled in- Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom's castle- Salzburg, Austria (where we saw more sights than I have space/time to mention)- the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest), Hitler's 50th birthday present set high up in the Alps, the view was amazing- Munich (again more sights than I can mention here)- 3 Youth hostels (Jugendherberge Augustusburg, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, and Wasserburg) that were interesting and different in their own right- Dresden, a city that was about 80% destroyed during WWII and still is not completely rebuilt and recovered- Wittenberg, the location where Martin Luther launched the Reformation and nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church- Berlin, where we saw so many sights including parts of the wall that remain as well as the world-famous Philharmonic- Buchenwald, one of the many concentration camps that were occupied and run by Nazis in WWII that now sit as a memorial to remind us of those horrific times- Cologne, saw the awesome Gothic Cathedral and a few other random sights- Boppard, a Rheine boat cruise (complete with a glass of Rheine Valley wine!), two more castle visits, a visit to Trier the oldest town in Germany, and a few other fun excursions. The food was phenomonal, the history was interesting and most of the sights were astounding. It was a wonderful trip and I'd recommend it to anyone-- however if you're looking for a vacation, I wouldn't recommend this trip because it is not restful or really relaxing. You may walk a lot (we averaged 10 miles a day) and ride on a tour bus a lot (though the company is fun) and travelling from city to city on a schedule is not extraordinarily restful in itself. That is why we are taking a quick trip to the beach next week--R&R 101.
in front of Neuschwanstein castle 
the Coloner Dom 
in the Alps!
in front of Neuschwanstein castle the Coloner Dom in the Alps!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Princesses & Puppies & Pirates
This week was pretty busy but a lot of fun! Monday-Friday 9am-noon I had Princess Dance Camp at my dance studio. The girls were SO cute and we had so much fun. Dancing, singing, games, crafts and snacks... what could be better?!?
Earlier in the week, Jason and I took Rocki & Daisy to Woodcock for a fieldtrip. They always seem to enjoy the walking and Daisy (the big wimp she is) has taken a new enjoyment to the water in the creek.
Last night we took a trip with some good friends to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh. Of course, those Pirates continue to be heartbreakers... they blew a few leads and even blew the tie that took them to the 12th inning and lost 11-6! UGH. But it didn't stop us from having a great time and the night was gorgeous! :)
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