My Summer Vacation...

...happened last week. That's right, I didn't take any time off this summer, just so I could leave for a few days in September. And those few days were amazing. I went on that specific weekend so I could go on the college annual fall retreat.

I saw Art, I saw friends and former teachers, I sat in on some of Art's classes, and I went to work with him (yeah, he couldn't get that much time off, but it wasn't too bad). So, here's the rundown.

I got there Thursday evening, Sept. 13.

The next day, I went to class with him, and then it was off to retreat at the beautiful RockRidge Canyon.

This is the main lodge.

The cabin we all stayed in is on the left.

This is the the beach and lake (that they made) and The Blob in the background.

This is Art being launched off The Blob (he sits at the far end, someone jumps on to the near end, and up he goes!)


These are 2 of my friends from college (and there aren't many left there that I know, because it's been over a year since I graduated).

When the weekend was over, I went to work with Art, and he had 3 shifts. As you can imagine, I got a lot of reading done. And napping. And good food. Art is a bellman at this 4-Diamond resort.

This is the front entrance of the Semiahmoo Resort.

As soon as you walk in, this is what you see. (The front desk is on the left, the rest of that staircase is to the right).

This is the back of the hotel. And if you turn around from here, you see this:

That's Whiterock (in Canada)

You can see the beach and Whiterock while sitting here. I took a nap in one of these chairs.

I also sat here a lot. It was warm, and perfect for reading.

This is the library. I had breakfast here one morning (practically served on a silver platter).

This is in the lobby.

So is this.

If you happen to be pulling up to the resort around 7am on a clear day, this is what you'll see. That's Mount Baker.

And finally:

This is the ring Art gave me. :o

That's right, my dear Arthur proposed the same evening I got there, while we were cuddling in front of his fireplace. And I said yes. So the wedding is set for July 19, and I'm going to be moving out there.

As you can see from all the pictures, life is going to be pretty tough out there ;)....(did I mention he lives 10 minutes from all of that?) Yup. And that was my summer vacation.

Childhood Moments

Childhood Ambition: I always said I wanted to be an archaeologist. My mom bought me a rock-tumbler-polisher-thing for a gift once. It was loud, messy, and pretty much unsuccessful. After that, I stopped wanting to be an archaeologist.

Fondest Memory (then): I can’t pick one memory or one event, so I’ll say that I fondly remember our tiny house with our big yard and the massive tree in front. We had a garden that grew carrots and potatoes and cucumbers, and raspberry bushes right by lilac bushes. There were a couple of rhubarb plants close by as well.

We had large evergreen trees, and I would play under the branches. We had a small climbing tree by the driveway, and tall shrubs to give us privacy all around our yard. We had a small shed that was musty and dirty, but I loved it. And beyond the backyard were fields to play in. I remember all the sights and smells and little details, and part of me always wishes I could go back.

Proudest Moment (then): Any time my mom put me in one of the many frilly dresses she made for me and my sister, complete with bows in my hair. I felt like a princess. Except for the fact that the dresses were really itchy.

Biggest Challenge as a child or teen: Trying to figure out what it means to have a relationship with God. Sometimes, I still don’t think I’ve figured it out.

My First Job: I think it was at a strawberry farm that’s a couple of miles out of town. I picked buckets and buckets of strawberries on early summer mornings, cold and wet from the dew, and itchy from the ever-present swarms of mosquitoes. I did not like it.

Childhood Indulgence: Glasses of chocolate milk at The Royal Table (a restaurant in town that is no longer). My dad would take me and my sister there on Saturday mornings, and he would sit and talk with other men, and we would have a table to ourselves. We would blow bubbles, and play, and we probably made a mess every time.

Favorite Outfit as a Child: Other people’s dress-up clothes.

Favorite Childhood Movie: "Anne of Green Gables." Canadian classic. I still love it.

Favorite Childhood Book: “If I Ran The Zoo” by Dr. Seuss. I thought all the names of the made-up animals were SO funny. I was also a huge fan of “The BFG” by Roald Dahl (BFG stands for “Big Friendly Giant”).

Childhood Hero: I honestly don’t remember having a hero. Maybe all the now-retired, famous figure skaters? I was a huge fan when I was young. I remember watching them and wishing I could be them.

Nicknames as a Child: Scooter. I don’t why, but that’s what it was. Or Jenene-y. Or my dad’s favorite: Jenene-ski. Like it’s Russian or something.

Favorite Activity as a Child: Playing with barbies or paper dolls. I also had a Where’s Waldo puzzle that I did over and over and over and over and over. Usually in one sitting.

New Hair!

Last week Monday and Tuesday, I got myself a haircut, and then some highlights (in that order). I cut my hair a little differently than I normally do, and I was a little nervous, but he was great (as he always is), and it was quite a bit of money, but I'm glad I treated myself.

I haven't had "longer" hair in over 8 years, so I figured it was about time. So, I guess he didn't really cut it, more like...he reshaped it, so I could wear it longer, but it wouldn't fall flat on me like it would if I had just let it grow. And the highlights just make the layers look even better. :D

I'm very happy with my new hair. Does anyone else love getting their hair cut/done? I feel like a new person every time! (A good, improved new person, that is).

I'm not sure what I'm trying to do with my face here, but just look at the hair instead.

Fantastic, fantasma-great!