Over the Weekend I Learned...

-That a plan for a weekend away in Newport can quickly turn into a weekend home alone when your husband is an on-call wild land firefighter

-That 28 (ok, ok practically 29) doesn't make you too old for a slumber party with the girls...

but it does make you too old to fall down in the street (in front of roughly 150 people) and scrape your knee, foot and elbow

(which I did)

-That pedi-cabs are a great mode of transport 

-That summer in the Pacific Northwest really is almost perfect 

-That a bar in a mall is not as weird as I thought it would be 

-That this (very short) book is proving impossible to finish...

but that I've got to get it done by Wednesday in time to see the movie! 

 

-That the Brewer's Festival is just as fun as I remembered it being...

(and is great for people watching!)

-That huckleberry beer is not as delicious as it sounds...

but that pineapple vodka with jalapeno sweet and sour mix is even more delicious than you would think 

-That it's perfectly acceptable to stay in PJs until 3:00 pm

-That this show really is as good as everyone says...

(and may cause people to stay in their PJs until 3:00 pm) 

and that this show gets worse every week

-That I still really don't know how to work the coffee maker without Ryan here to operate it for me...

but luckily there are way too many coffee shops in Portland

-That this place rivals my favorite spot for happy hour in town...

and I need to get back there asap 

-That three-day weekends are great, but four-day weekends are wonderful

-That dinners at home with family are just as good as any fancy meal out

(or even better)

-That I really miss my honey when he's gone...

but that I have the best girlfriends and family to spend time with...

and I am truly lucky

Only four more days until next weekend :)

Really hoping my honey is home!

Carnaval on Parade

{My mom (who visited from Oregon for Carnaval festivities!) Ryan's mom, Ryan and me}

We watched the first parade of Carnaval from a hotel balcony directly above the action.  The water made a beautiful background for the bright and glittery floats that wrapped their way up and down both sides of Cozumel's busy waterfront main street.
 

 

 

{We feel so lucky to have been a part of such a unique and beautiful cultural event and all that led up to it.  

Who knows, we might have to make it an annual trip!}

Carnaval in Cozumel

Carnaval (Mexico's version of Mardi-gras) began this year on February 8th.  Ryan and I were lucky enough to catch a few of the many pre-Carnaval events (including this one!) that take place each year before the grand finale parade on Fat Tuesday.  Each year large dance groups, fantastic costumes and over the top floats take the stage in order to win votes for the prospective kings and queens of Carnaval.  There are categories for adult, teen and child royalty.  Even young children and babies show off their best costumes for Carnaval.  Group dancers take to the two city squares and the many side streets of Cozumel to celebrate this important event.
Here's a taste of what you might see during the weeks leading up to Carnaval!

 

 

 

 

{Next up: parade photos!}

Lately

+Belated Valentine's Day celebration
{Beach chairs, beers, and books.}

+The Amazing Cozumel Race

{Pretty much just like the show.

Yep, we won!} 

+Enjoying more almuerzo

{Because there won't be jamaica, avocado salsa verde, tortillas and limes served at lunch back in the states.

Ok I just teared up a little.}

+Sorting through the hundreds of photos from the visit my mom made to Mexico.

{More posts about our adventures in Cozumel and in the Yucatan soon!}

+Margarita date night to end the week

{Drinks that require a spoon plus queso fundido and live music.} 

+Booking long overdue tickets to New Jersey and New York 

{We can't wait to see my sister, her family, and the city!}

 Appreciating every moment on this beautiful island with Ryan's family

{Because our time here is running out.}

Happy 85th Birthday to Thailand's King!

Snapshots from Singapore

Hello from Georgetown!  

This capital city of Penang is best known for its colonial architecture and diverse blend of cultures.  Indian and Chinese immigrants have blended with local Malays to create a mix of communities, which has created a variety of delicious and inexpensive street food available on nearly every corner.  Needless to say, Ryan and I have been loving the chance to sample all the culinary delights we can get our hands on!  I have been so busy deciding whether to eat Chinese noodles or curry with naan that I've been a little behind in our updates...

******

We had planned on three nights on the city-state-island of Singapore, and enjoyed it so much that we tacked on another night and full day to the trip.  We would have stayed even longer than that if time allowed, but there is still lots to see in Malaysia and Thailand!

Singapore’s clean and orderly streets were a stark contrast to where we came from on Lombok and Bali.  I’ve heard people describe the city as “sterile,” but we didn’t find the cleanliness to be a drawback.  It was nice not to worry about getting sick from food or water, things were organized and efficient, and everyone spoke English!  That coupled with Singapore's delicious food confirmed it: we were in love.

One of my college friends was sweet enough to put us in touch with her aunt who lives on the island.  She put us up in her home and spoiled us with delicious dinners and her wonderful company every evening.  It was so hard to leave when the time came.  Thanks again Aunt Teresa!

On our first day we chose to wander the neighborhood of Little India.  Deepavali decorations still lined the streets and scents of fresh fruit, flowers and incense mingled with Little India’s nearby hawker center.  We saw a quick downpour as our opportunity to try the local food.  
 
 

Curry, dahl and naan served alongside hot chai tea with milk was quite a treat. 

The Arab quarter was home to the first immigrants in Singapore.  Others settled in nearby Chinatown.

We ended the evening at a popular local hawker center with stalls of vendors pushing their delicacies on locals and tourists.  We tried Singapore’s famous chili crab along with an oyster omelette and ice cold Tiger beer.  The crab made for a messy (but delicious) meal!  

Another favorite food we discovered in Singapore was "carrot cake."  When my friend recommended it I envsioned, a slice of dessert.  
Wrong.

A Chinese concoction of radish, egg, breadcrumbs, green onions and sauce (spicy and light or dark soy).  
SO good!  
You'll have to trust me on this one.

{I could go on about the food in Singapore (and Malaysia) and I will later.}

******  

On the weekend we strolled through a beautiful (and massive) botanical garden. 

There were too many gardens to count and large open spaces for parties, picnics and events.  There was even a group playing ultimate frisbee!

Later we headed to the Long Bar at the famous Raffles Hotel.   The Singapore Sling was invented there, so naturally we paid a ridiculous $30 each to have one too.  

One original and one "winter" sling.

Even later we wandered Boat Quay and its posh bars and restaurants and took in the nightlife scene at Clarke Quay. 

The Christmas decor on the famed Orchard Road put us right in the Christmas spirit.

  

 To cap off the weekend we spent a full afternoon and evening at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.  The zoo had white tigers, proboscis monkeys, a pigmy hippo and a section for Australian animals.  We couldn’t take our eyes off a large orangutan that was eerily human and oh so sweet.
 

After the zoo closed we made our way to the night safari, where we hopped on a tram to ride past the habitats of tigers, deer and rhinos.  Later we took a walk through areas containing huge bats, adorable mouse deer and flying squirrels (below).  

The slow loris was my favorite.

On our last afternoon in Singapore we wandered the Colonial district, with its history and classic architecture. 
Huge hotels, fancy museums and business offices are clustered around the river.

Of course we couldn't miss a photo opp with Singapore's odd mascot the Merlion.  

The creature is half mermaid, half lion, all strange. 

What a breath of fresh air it was to be in a big city with a subway, shopping malls and so many American amenities.  While I love deserted islands with nothing to do but watch the ocean, I am definitely a city girl at heart.  

Hope to see you again, Singapore!