Understanding the Struggle

D. Wade hits Game Winner!: Vacation Day 2

So my big gift for Christmas from Charissa was going to the Miami Heat/New Orleans Hornets game in Miami. She actually told me about the gift about a month ago (not the best at keeping secrets), but I had no idea how great it would actually be.

We got to the arena about an hour early. Once we got in I noticed a definitely difference between American Airlines (Miami) and Amway or whatever it is called now (Orlando). It was so much nicer and made me understand why so many want Orlando to get a new arena.

After the doors opened we went into the team store and checked out the Championship Trophy that was for all to see in the middle of room, behind ropes and with its own guard:-) For me this was really cool because I've seen it on TV so many times for so many years. Awesome!

Once we got out of the store we found our seats. WOW!! As I walked down, row by row my smile got bigger and bigger until I had that dorky, please don't look at me now smile kickin. The seats were AMAZING! They so far surpassed my expectations. 13th row, center court. We could hear the players calling plays and Pat Riley barking out orders. It was amazing and the night would only get better.

The game featured some of the best shooting I had seen in a long time. With the game tied at 99-99 Miami called a timeout. I leaned over the Charissa and asked her who she thought would take the shot to try and win the game...she answered Wade:-) Everyone in the arena knew Wade would get the shot and of course he did. With time dwindling he made his move and fading away he banked in what would prove to be the game winner with 1.3 seconds remaining!

The game, the atmosphere, everything was amazing! This was such a special gift because unlike a normal gift this is now a memory I'll have forever. Gifts fade and at some point are no longer, but memories last always. Truly special indeed.

I knew walking away from the arena that she had kicked my butt for Christmas and it felt nice. It felt nice that someone cared that much to plan something like that.

Trump International: Vacation Day 1

Christmas began early for me this year. Charissa planned a trip for us to hip, trendy and sunny Miami, Florida. The best part is it was all a surprise:-) A four hour car ride had us at our first destination, Trump International Hotel. Nice, very nice:-) We got in around 5pm and after checking out our room we headed out to the balcony and took in the ocean.

There is something so relaxing about the ocean. The smell, the sound, the relaxing atmosphere (that comes with most nice hotels on the ocean). There is nothing like opening the balcony doors and taking a mid afternoon nap. The breeze off of the water and the gentle sound of the crashing waves makes me understand why some buy little radios with different sounds of the ocean, forest, etc. built in.

While out on the balcony we spotted three grass tennis courts and after a quick call to the concierge desk, we were out hitting balls around. This was my first time on a grass court and it was a lot different, but also a lot of fun. The ball basically dies once it hits the ground. A totally new feeling for sure. After about an hour or so of that we went back to the room and got cleaned up for dinner.

Naomi's was the top restaurant on location so that's were we found ourselves. I got the filet and Charissa got the seabass. My steak was one of the best I've had. Presentation was spot on. The filet rested on a tower of homemade potatoes (like steak fries), and was capped off by a quarter of a roasted onion. The steak was cooked perfectly and had an almost sticky/sweet coating. Awesome!

Dessert followed with some good conversation and then it was off to bed. One step closer to my next gift:-)

My Day

Yesterday Charissa surprised me with a day at the Ritz! The day included an 80-minute East Indian Massage, which rocked!!! It also included a great lunch and a day at the pool with smoothies and tons of sun. Too much sun really (You'd have to see me to understand);-)

The day was so relaxing...so relaxing. It was such an unexpected surprise and so, so nice.

Maybe more surprises will be coming my way in the future;-) Either way, my day was awesome!!

5 days off

Today I begin five days off and am looking forward to it. I'm not really sure what I will do, if anything, but just being able to not worry about much is a nice feeling. When I get back to work on Thursday I will be in the third quarter, meaning we're back at 0, but ready to throw up some numbers.

Back to watching foodtv I go:-)

Spa Packages

I'm a spa dude.  No doubt about it.  I love being pampered and don't mind paying to be so.  Up until last week though, I had never gotten a spa package.  The spa packs always seemed like just a way to upsell me more spa services and in reality that's what it is, but who cares!  It rocks!

Over the weekend I got the gentleman's package, which included a gentleman's facial, deep tissue massage and scalp massage.  The surprise of the day was how enjoyable the spa facial was.  It really was worth it.

OK...time to get ready to play some hoops...

Just Call Me Jerry

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, which for me as a banker means I have the day off.  The first question that everyone always asks when they find I am having the day off is, "So what are you doing on your day off?"

I'm doing nothing.  I mean, I may watch some TV, go to the mall, hangout, something like that, but in general nothing.  That question of, so what are you doing on your day off, is so overused...ha.  I mean do we have to be doing something just because we aren't working and if we are doing something does it have to be some great adventure? 

If the person that asks also has the day off, and I return the question, they too say they are doing nothing.  We are all just a grouping of people doing nothing.  Yet that nothing is really something, but we say it's nothing.

There are the people who have to work and those are the ones that would be doing everything if they only had the day off.  Yet work keeps them held down and thus they too do nothing.

From now on when I am asked what I am doing on my day off I am going to come up with a great adventure.  For instance, tomorrow on my day off I am flying to Egypt to visit the pyramids.  When I am done with that I am taking the canoe over to Italy for dinner.  Then back at work Friday.  Should be fun.

Maybe I am just boring, but to me doing nothing is fun and it sure made the cast of Seinfeld a lot of cash in which to do nothing:-)

Stone Massage

Last night I injured my back (ugh) so today I treated myself to my first stone massage.  I am not sure if that is the exact name, but it is where the masseuse takes warm stones and rubs them on your body.  It was awesome!  If you haven't tried it, go for it.  You are sure to enjoy.

Now if it were only free...oh how great life would be:-)