Someday?

How cool is this?

http://www.ocregister.com/news/dan-coonce-david-1975716-whiting-outdoors

The other day, I was at the dentist's office, and picked up a travel magazine to pass the time. While flipping through, I saw an ad for a trip to Budapest. We had been planning to go to Ouray (in CO) for spring break . . . but whenever I get a crazy idea, I can't help but investigate it. The price range for Prague/ Budapest seemed that it could be affordable . . . and after some research and number crunching, Dre and I have decided to go for it.

The plan is to spend three days in Prague and three days in Budapest over spring break, with a night train connecting us between the two cities. I've looked up things that we should check out, just to have an idea before we go. Is there anywhere where we absolutely MUST go?

Only one month away . . .

Wow, another week of 2008 has come and gone. Andres and I went and checked out the Marriott last week, and it seems that it may be viable. We looked at the outdoor pavilion, which I really took a liking too, but the fact that August is HOT may be a factor. Hopefully we'll find more out about that tomorrow.

I need to start looking for a dress. I've asked my sister to be my maid of honor, and two of my dear friends to be bridesmaids. I know one of our colors is going to be purple, but I need to figure out the rest . . .

I watched Andres teach his recitation on Thursday. He really is a gifted teacher, full of passion, and I liked watching him (even though I had no idea what he was talking about). He's very clear and good at questions, and I think that if he was to choose to go in that direction, he'd be great . . .

I'm coming to realize that without fail, I've always, always loved animals: working with them, playing with them, taking care of them. Maybe at some point (either during or after New Zealand) I could get a job at a humane society, or non- profit that helps animals. I suppose I'll just have to wait to see where this leads . . .

So I've decided two things:

1) I'm going to go vegetarian, with the exception of fish now and then.

2) I've signed up for the 100 mile bike ride again in Buena Vista on May 17th. It will give me motivation to get off my lazy arse and start running/ biking again . . .

Things are mostly good, with the exception of reception halls that aren't 100% straightforward. We checked out the Hilton, and were told we could rent a ballroom for $54 per person (which includes food, setup, cleanup, cake cutting, room rental, butler passed champagne, taxes, etc.). We also were told that a cash bar is extra. HOWEVER, we weren't told that for the ballroom, we MUST commit to paying for 160 people. I expect 100-110 people to come to our reception, which is a significant difference from 160 (obviously).

It really annoys me that they didn't tell us these things in the beginning. When we left, our understanding was that the cost would be somewhere in the ballpark of $6,000. Instead, we're sent a contract in which (if we sign) we agree to pay a MINIMUM of $8,640. Why weren't we told that at the start?

Ok, enough meck mecking. Time for exercise.