Time away: it does a body good

We're back in Houston and together again!


Paul joined me at Cocoa Beach (with his convertible!) on Friday where we had lunch and hung out on the beach for awhile. I forgot how much salt water burns the eyes and nose ;) And geeze, it got HOT.

We had a rocking blast at Universal Studios in Orlando on Saturday, his birthday. I got discounted tickets through NASA and then added on the Express Pass option, which lets you bypass the lines in the park. Turned out to be a fantastic option since we got through the lines in like 5 minutes for rides that were otherwise 50-60 minutes long. So YAY US! We got through everything we wanted to see and do in time (including lunch at Mythos) to add on two movies while there: Land of The Lost and Night at the Museum. Both were fun! Ben Stiller and Will Farrell both in one night was the perfect ending to a fun day. The only thing making the day better would have been to see the shuttle launch. What a drag!

We arrived at our hotel that night at around midnight. Since our planes departed that morning around 7:30am, we got a room at the Hyatt in the Orlando Airport (click here). I'll upload some pics tonight but the hotel was so darned cool. Our balcony opened to the airport terminals where we could look down on the passengers going all around the airport. Unique experience to say the least, and in the morning our ticket counters/security were right down our elevator and around the corner so it allowed us some good rest after a late night.

While bypassing the lines at Universal, it dawned on me, and I told Paul: this is an example of what we've worked so hard for. By-passing the lines, good food, renting a convertible, hitting the beach after a work day at a job I love. Yes, life has its ups and downs, but right now it's Up-Up-Up. The entire week I couldn't believe how Up. How'd we get so lucky? As usual, it's a mixture of our hard work, luck, and timing. Because my job is so stinking fun, this past week for me was like going away on a 1-week internship. Remember those, like during college? Immersing yourself in the work part you love while enjoying the benefits of the location with people you like? Like Space Camp or the SLSTP internship when I was younger. But here I was doing it at the professional level, making new friends in co-workers, and having Paul join in at the end of the work week for a final fun day. And the two nights he was with me, Anna was back in Lafayette with her Nanee having fun there with her cousins and family she doesn't get to see much. Every time we called to check in, she was talking about something new and fun and even though I missed her, I knew this was good for the three of us.

Every time she goes away on a trip with or without us, she comes back a little more grown-up. It's amazing what she picks up with the new experiences. Last night when I saw her for the first time in 5 nights, I realized it again: look at how grown up she's gotten just in those 5 nights I've been away. She had on a pretty new baby doll dress Nanee had bought her, and remnants of a pretty braid that Aunt K-K had put in her hair. She was happy to see me, full of squishy hugs and kisses and quick stories. She was great in the 3 hour car ride there and back, according to Paul. This morning she was still happy, super cooperative with everything, and still so grown up. Even her vocabulary has expanded. The time away has reminded me that she's growing and growing into someone whose becoming a little more complex. I think she's beautiful and fun.

See what I mean about the 3 of us taking a vacation like this every now and then? Remember my blog a few weeks ago? I was ready to lock her in her room forever. And some days more than others. And this is how it will be for the rest of our life: up and down. Yes, I know. I'm not that naive. Just well-rested and currently enjoying the "up" moment. I think it means the trip refreshed me and I'm ready to take it all on again :) For now.

So for now I'm enjoying the honeymoon period before routine sets in again. I hope it lasts for at least another 24 hours :)