Just spent a delightful week in Holden Beach, N.C. with my daughters their boyfriends, my husband, his sister and her daughters family. I really dreaded the long drive with my back and hip but I chose to stretch out in the back seat with my legs up in the air periodically, and it was great. Due to my lack of sleeping lately, I didn't have to drive on the way down at all. My husband and dear sister-in-law, Marla took on that task for 8 long hours. The beaches of NC were lovely, remining me of Ocean City Md. about 40 years ago...very laid back, quiet and no high rises! Our house was perfect, one block from the ocean, a pool right in our back yard, and a huge house with 4 BR an, 3 bathrooms, jacuzzi, 3 decks and a huge living room and kitchen.
I really gave my hip and back a rest from my hard core DVD workouts....boy did it pay off. Each day I either rode my bike for 45-60 minutes (flat terrain everywhere) and/or did a aqua workout in the pool with my noodles and weights. No pain at all till I finished that brutal ride home as I am really trying to adjust to staying in shape in a gentler, low impact fashion.
Well yesterday Cal Ripken turned 50 and I turned 56, and began my 57th year---somehow as I eek closer to 60, old age seems like something real instead of some far-off notion. At dinner last night with my daughters (27 & 29 and obsessed with youth and all the marketing that goes with it) I told them to prepare themselves over the upcoming years as my body changes...because we are supposed to age! They were speechless! Aging is natural and inevitable, but not license to default to the rocking chair and wait to die! Last night while I couldn't sleep I thought of the things that I'm doing and want to do these next 50 fifty years. These things came to mind, in no particular order--just brainstorming:
I just acted a small role in my step-son's indie movie this past Sunday (aging biker chick was my role-YIKES!); get my research study published; get a second Master's or my PhD.; visit Asia, Australia and complete my visit to all 50 states (only 11 more to go); cruise the Mediterranean; join a research travel group; hone my technological skills; join a drama company and act; be a grandmother; retire in my current occupation but continue to promote vibrant aging through all my movement therapy classes; design and execute an aquatic tai chi class; continue my tai chi studies and do a triathalon or whatever the 5k run/walk, 10-mile bike ride and 1 mile swim is called. Whew--maybe this is why I can't sleep, too much to think about. Anyway--I off on another vacation to my beloved little condo in OC from Sept 2-10...will check in later
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
NYC Daytripping...WOW Experience
Had a long, but very fun daytrip this past Wednesday in NYC. I love New York, but never enjoy the "pushy people" and attitudes of the New Yorkers. Boy was I ever surprised by this trip. My husband and I went with another couple from our church who are from NY so they really knew the ropes... so we let them plan the whole day. Of all the things to do, we chose this time to see a Yankee game, nice dinner and squeeze in a broadway play...and of course my first time on the Megabus. The Megabus experience was really great...esp. the price...$37.00 round trip for my husband and I. Comfortable, clean BR, perfect temperature...not one negative thing at all. Even the people on the subway, smiled, offered up there seats and actually made eye contact!
My first trip to the new stadium is where the WOWS continued. People walking up asking"How may I help you",..."Hello Welcome to Yankee Stadium...at every level. Our seats ($75.0o ea) were totally shaded, under cover and very comfortable. Good thing for that price! Arriving early so my husband and I could see the museum and Hall of Fame...we rushed to get in what we could before gametime. As we approached the line for the Hall, one usher said , "sorry line is closed", but another female usher said "Are you from out of town....then go ahead". While I was looking at all of the signed baseballs, I was asked if I needed help finding a ball. An usher greeted us and pulled the seat out for us. A young man in the 7th inning just stopped by to ask if we needed anything and how our day was!!! At that point I had to check what city I was in and pinch myself. The only bad part was the girl who sold me my lelmonade (rude, curt and no eye contact), and witnessing Alex Rodriquez (whom I loathe) hit his 600th HR! Only the 7th player in MLB to do so...the good news is that the lemonade was fresh squeezed ($5.00) and I got to be part of MLB history. I am so impressed by the fans...they love their Yankees, and let them know every opportunity from singing songs to each player upon introduction to, applauding every strike, out or hit! And the stadium is sold out every game!
We had a lovely Mexican dinner at Tolouache's, tequila shots and dessert on the house, then a wonderful time at the Kerr Theatre for "A Little Night Music"...which we had to leave 10 minutes fbefore the ending to catch the Megabus Home. Even the bus facillitator allowed us to board way before any one else, because my friend was older and walked with a cane. The crown in line (from D.C.) bboed and hissed, and the facillitator said "I don't know what you all do in D. C. but here on the NY Megabus we let handicapped people and seniors board first. I was very proud of him!
So...I've turned the corner on dissing NYC people...they were lovely and I can't wait till next trip so I can see if they keep up the good work!
My first trip to the new stadium is where the WOWS continued. People walking up asking"How may I help you",..."Hello Welcome to Yankee Stadium...at every level. Our seats ($75.0o ea) were totally shaded, under cover and very comfortable. Good thing for that price! Arriving early so my husband and I could see the museum and Hall of Fame...we rushed to get in what we could before gametime. As we approached the line for the Hall, one usher said , "sorry line is closed", but another female usher said "Are you from out of town....then go ahead". While I was looking at all of the signed baseballs, I was asked if I needed help finding a ball. An usher greeted us and pulled the seat out for us. A young man in the 7th inning just stopped by to ask if we needed anything and how our day was!!! At that point I had to check what city I was in and pinch myself. The only bad part was the girl who sold me my lelmonade (rude, curt and no eye contact), and witnessing Alex Rodriquez (whom I loathe) hit his 600th HR! Only the 7th player in MLB to do so...the good news is that the lemonade was fresh squeezed ($5.00) and I got to be part of MLB history. I am so impressed by the fans...they love their Yankees, and let them know every opportunity from singing songs to each player upon introduction to, applauding every strike, out or hit! And the stadium is sold out every game!
We had a lovely Mexican dinner at Tolouache's, tequila shots and dessert on the house, then a wonderful time at the Kerr Theatre for "A Little Night Music"...which we had to leave 10 minutes fbefore the ending to catch the Megabus Home. Even the bus facillitator allowed us to board way before any one else, because my friend was older and walked with a cane. The crown in line (from D.C.) bboed and hissed, and the facillitator said "I don't know what you all do in D. C. but here on the NY Megabus we let handicapped people and seniors board first. I was very proud of him!
So...I've turned the corner on dissing NYC people...they were lovely and I can't wait till next trip so I can see if they keep up the good work!
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