Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Day -4 in Miami!

If you receive this by email - I'm 95% sure this is the link to see this post on my blog (for better viewing): http://magellan-sarah.blogspot.com/2011/02/day--4-in-miami.html

Okay, okay... so I've been back in KC since late Friday night -- but it has been a bit of the crazy/busy/nuts side of things - which is good! It's great to take a week off work and then jump back into it when it's busy & there's lots to do!

The rest of Miami was a blast! Brooke and I had a great time (like always when we travel)! A few pics (as promised in my last post are below). We relaxed, ate some great food, laid out an entire day (when the forecast called for rain all day - so it was even better since it wasn't expected!)... and now I'm pealing to prove it!

We had dinner at South Beach Thursday night after laying out from 9am - 5pm. We were at the pool until about 5 - got showered and ready and had a glass of wine at the pool bar and watched the sunset! Then we cabbed it to South Beach, had one $18 drink a piece and realized dinner was good enough for us - and then head back to get some fast-food ice cream for $1 and call it good!

Friday we got up early, got ready and checked out - and spent the day walking all over downtown Miami, had sushi for lunch and then shopped in Bayside near the bay (and both got some cute/long dresses that we'll keep for summer!) There was a reggae band playing near the water - where there were also 4 or 5 HUGE cruise ships - which was cool to see up close! We both left Friday night - so we departed at 3:30.

I had a connecting flight in Orlando (that I wasn't aware about until Friday - I thought my flight was direct) - so it was QUITE the surprise when my first flight was slightly delayed and when I landed I had 20 minutes to catch my flight to KC. I ran to the bathroom & got in line just in time when they were finalizing the remaining A's (I was on Southwest). So it was MUCH to my surprise - when I got on the plane in a big rush and heard my name! A friend of mine, Lisa - used to work at GCSAA - and her former-colleague, Sheri was sitting in the front row! She recognized me and was in Orlando for a conference. It was fun to see her! We chatted for about 30 seconds & then I looked up - and there in row 7 was my father! Ummm... ha! So random! It had been YEARS since I've seen someone on my flight (Jason Charay - spring break/college/2001 on my way to Mexico). Such a fun coincidence! Dad was at the window - and I sat in the aisle and so lucky - no one sat in the middle! Dad was SUPER kind & lent me (insisted I used) his noise-free earphones (a TOTAL must-have for travelers!!) so I never realized I was on a 3-hour/8pm flight coming home from Disney World - it was amazing!

Okay - sorry I am 4 days late! In KC - the weather was -1 to 8 degrees each day I was in Miami. When I got back - it has been at least 50 degrees each day! whew hew! So, I had some serious dog-walking to do and I had to finish my book - it was a real page-clicker! (joke for strictly Kindle users!) That book recommendation is below =) SO GOOD!

Today (Tuesday - 2/15) I had a root-canal in my front tooth to replace one that was done last year from my face-plant. I have a temporary glued-in (fingers crossed - last year while I was in Victoria, BC - my falsies fell out. EEK!!) I will get my replacement in 2 weeks from today (on March 1) - and then leave again early March 3 for NYC for 6 days!! (which will be my next trip - I PROMISED my dentist to stay in town for 2 weeks... as well as NOT attend any St. Patty's Day parties =) Fair enough!

Pics from Miami - just a couple! Hope you are all well!
View from our hotel room (note the clean window)!
Lunch @ the Hard Rock. Our view from our table... not bad

Sunset sitting by the hotel pool
Brooke & Myself - Tuesday night. On our way out in Miami! [Party in the city where the heat is on - Welcome to Miami!]









A good book recommendation - also the book for my book club that meets this Thursday!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Day 1 in Miami

Hi everyone! Just a quick post - I made it to Miami! Got in yesterday afternoon (Tuesday - Feb 8) and It was 3 degrees when I left KC and was 76 when I landed in Ft. Lauderdale!!

I shuttled From the airport to the hotel and met up with Brooke! We had a cocktail and much needed catch-up conversations!! We did go out for a bit to the Blue Martini! So fun - and so great to not have to wear snow boots and heavy coats!

Today we walked around all over - had lunch at the Hard Rock, got pedicures and laid by the pool! Tonight we ordered in Thai food and just taking it easy in the hotel - watched idol & read... Kind of lazy =) tomorrow we plan on getting a good work-out in-- Brooke has a session to attend for her conference & then we will spend the day at South Beach!

I'm on my iPad now since we don't get free Internet - so I'll post pics later!

Monday, February 7, 2011

MIAMI!

SKYLINE OF MIAMI - VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL
Hello all! Hope everyone is doing well! As I'm typing this blogpost - it's currently 7 degrees outside in Kansas City... but tomorrow I leave to go to Miami! whew hew! It was 80 degrees there today!

I am going with Brooke - my college roomie, now my ongoing travel buddy! We have gone on some amazing trips together: our excursion through South America in 2009, last year at this time we were in the Riviera Maya in Mexico, and last Spring we went to New Orleans for Jazz Fest!

I leave tomorrow - and have a layover, so I arrive in Miami at 4:30pm. We are staying at the Hilton Miami Downtown. I'm not sure what we'll do while we are there this week - perhaps go to South Beach and check out the some beaches in the Keys. At this point - I'm just excited to be outside and feel WARM! yay!!

Our hotel has a rooftop pool! Once I finish this posting, I'm going to download a few books on to my Kindle so I'll have some reading material for my poolside days! I'll post more during the trip! Stay warm!!!

Here are a few pics of the view from our hotel:
ROOFTOP POOL
VIEW FROM THE HOTEL