my first "real" post of 2008.

i'm hoping to be as open and honest as possible in my journal, as, honestly, that seems like the best way to actually get real value and support from my DS friends.

i'm a bit groggy this morning, as my family still hasn't shaken off the Hawaii time we've been on for the last week. we went on an extended family vacation from 1/2 to 1/8...i say "extended" because my sister, her husband, their kids and my parents were all on the same island, just about 1/4 mile down the beach at a different hotel. it's a long story as to how my close family ended up just down the beach from us, but what i realized on this vacation is two things: 1) it's really nice to travel with your whole family, as it's a great chance for all of us (especially the kids) to get to know their cousins, etc., and 2) it's a bit more stressful to travel with your whole family, as the size of the group just makes for more logistics and opinions. 

when it was just me and c, we liked to do adventurous vacations...we're restless types, and we're more interested in hiking and sweating that touring churches or sitting on a beach. however, with kids added to the mix, we've gotten really lazy, and so 6 days in hawaii with 20 steps to the buffet and 30 steps to the beach is definitely a nice break. the kids play in the pool all day, which wears 'em out, and we get a bit of time to play some tennis, read books, whatever.

it's also great to get to know your kids a bit better. with c's prodding, k learned how to snorkel on this trip, and it was wild to watch her evolve within 20 minutes from crying and insisting she "couldn't do it" to crusing around a 20-foot-deep lagoon on her own, chasing sting rays. (sorry for the sideways pic - like i said, i'm tired).

(side note: we saw a bunch of celebs on this trip, including dave grohl, buffy, and andy roddick. living in LA, i try not to get too excited about seeing celebs, but dave grohl was kind of exciting, not only because i'm a huge nirvana fan, but also because we've been playing his songs (nirvana and foo fighters) over and over again on Rock Band over the last few months.) 

one of my 2008 new year's resolutions was to complain less, especially about others, and so far i'd say i'm doing "OK" - i should set up a goal so i can track that. however, i need to make an exception - United Airlines is just the worst. I hope no one on DS is an employee there...or if they are, I'd ask them why they would work for such a miserable company. The planes are dirty and disgusting, every employee from gate agent to flight attendant just seems suicidal, and there simply is nothing that resembles pleasure anywhere near those friendly skies. here's an ironic picture i took as i was sardined in on a 25 year old plane to hawaii.  (note the seat in front of me jammed up against my knees).

so you'll see me setting up some goals as we move into 2008...as i mentioned in previous posts, i'm committed to getting healther (i actually ran 6 miles in hawaii and played tennis 3 times), eating FAR better (i've sworn off desserts and appetizers unless i "earn" them, no red meat, eggs, or french fries), and taking more time for myself, as i feel like 2007 went by in a blur of hard work and all family time.  right now, i'm actually feeling like these goals are attainable...we'll see...

hope y'all are having a great 08.