The (Not-So) Ordinary Life and Times...

Relax

Got to spend a weekend in Okoboji with Dan while he is in Northern Iowa for a clinical rotation. As is customary with lake trips, it's always beautiful on the day you leave for home. I think it's so you have to remember to relax....

Small World

I'm currently reading The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer, and what an amazing story! A Jewish woman living in Austria escapes certain deportation and potential death by marrying a Nazi. When he visits her in Vienna, he stays in the Hotel Wandl.

I had the opportunity to stay in Vienna at Hotel Wandl in 2008 during the Drake Choir Euopean tour. I couldn't believe that I had stayed in the very same place and had a connection to this woman.

Beautiful courtyard in the center.

Edith Hahn Beer was incredibly brave in one of the darkest times Europe has ever seen. I really enjoyed her story and feeling a connection to the past, however small.

I'm heading to Des Moines next weekend for a Drake Choir reunion and I'm so excited to sing with these people again!! Drake Choir was my family for four years, and I miss them all terribly. Reading this book and being reminded of a little Viennese hotel brought back memories of some of the best times of my life.

Isn't it funny how we're all connected?

 

Check, check, check

Still working through my 25 things list. I decided to cross of #11 (visit Rachel in Indianapolis), even thought it didn't happen as I had originally planned. Rachel was coming west for the holiday weekend, so she graciously drove an extra hour or two to see us! We got to meet her boyfriend Hanno, who was delightful. We ate dinner at M's Pub, which is one of my favorite places to eat in the Old Market. They were so exhausted from their journey that they all crashed once we got home, but I was so grateful they came to see us! Rachel is one of my dearest friends and I can't stand having her live so far away!

Dan and I went to Yankton, SD for the holiday weekend. His grandparents have a lake house there. Overall it was a quiet weekend, just some golf, reading on the deck and we went to see Gavins Point dam, where they are releasing more than double the amount of water than normal. Flooding is a real threat to many people in the midwest right now, and you can see why:

 

Dreaming in Piña Colada

This photoblog is brought to you by Dan's sister Erin's wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!

EDIT 4/18: I added some of the wedding photographer's photos that Erin sent me!

 Bienvenidos a Mexico!

 Looking out at Los Arcos, in the Sea of Cortes

 Dinner at Mi Casa

 
Hola Margarita!

 

 
Tacos de camarones (shrimp tacos). Delish!

 
The lovely bride and her "bridesmaids" Rene and Meredith.

 
Our resort. Yes, that is a whale. It is a slide. A very fast slide!

 
Evidence of the fast whale slide: Dan is invisible going into the water.

 
The men of the Cabo trip with the groom in the center.

 
Lovely view to wake up to in the morning.

 
The lovely bride Erin and her mom, Leigh.

 
Maid of Honor Megan (sister), Erin, Leigh.

 
The colorful ladies of the Cabo trip

 

 
The groom sees his bride.

 

 

 
The new Mr. and Mrs.

 

 

 

 


 
A little pool time at a neighboring resort....

 
Adios a Los Cabos!

Motivation

Sunday, March 20 was the official first day of spring. Living in the Midwest, however, makes these dates arbitrary and unecessary as the Mother Nature of our great region has no regard for them.

Just after I had taken all of my "wintry" things from my office and put up some nice bright spring items, we wake up to this:

Yes, that's right. About 4 inches of snow.

Must remember that in two weeks I will be here:

 
Can't wait for Cabo San Lucas.

I've been trying to work really hard at eating better and getting to the gym more this year, and so far it's paying off!  Thinking about posting this picture on my wall to stay motivated!