I know how remiss I have become with this blog. Up until now, 2011 hasn’t been the best year for me. I have come down with every illness imaginable from the stomach bug to an ear infection to the flu to a cold and sinus infection to a corneal abrasion (ummm….does anything hurt more than a scratched eye?! Ouch!). However, for the last few months I have been dying for a vacation. Well, let me scratch that! I have NEEDED a vacation (I always want a vacation). But money is tight for me so I can’t go anywhere, but it doesn’t seem to have stopped the friends in my life from getting a bit tipsy and booking a trip around the world. I wish I could do this, but I need money to do this first. I finally paid off all of my credit card debt so the last thing I want to do is go right back into debt with a trip. I’m trying to be smart but it’s deathly boring. I need adventure. The Sagittarius in me is screaming for a change. Anywhere, so I was given a very generous amount of money from my mom’s fiancée, let’s just call him F, for Christmas. It was originally meant to be used on a trip to NYC for Christmas with my mom, but sadly I was working my butt off and couldn’t take a long holiday, so I was stuck in an office instead. So because the money wasn’t used for Christmas it was kind of up for grabs as to what to use it for and I finally decided it would be amazing to visit them in their winter home in Palm Springs. Last year when I came to visit I had never gone further than Illinois, but now I have finally gone to California. I am dying to see more of this gorgeous state and its surroundings (can we say Catalina Island, please?!). Anyway, despite the inclement weather that always likes to appear the moment it finds out I’m on vacation, it has still been an incredible trip and amazingly relaxing. Working 70+ hours a week will turn anyone crazy. I was getting there. But now I’m so at peace it’s amazing. F’s house is amazing to say the least. It was originally built for David Jansen, the actor, who died before he got the chance to live in the beautiful creation he designed. Anyway, F bought it and redid parts of it to make it even more beautiful. The view alone is enough to knock you off your feet.
My trip first started when I decided to buy an upgrade to first class. Yes, that’s right. I did it! I couldn’t help myself. The price was incredible and I wouldn’t have to pay for my suitcase (bully for me!). It was of course too early to drink anything so I went for water (I know I’m so not fun). First class seats are heaven. I seriously wanted to rip one out of the plane and take it home. They also kept coming around offering snacks, drinks, and even breakfast (and the breakfast was delicious, I must say). I was in heaven. But I definitely looked out of place (it was probably because my mouth was constantly open, drooling at the wonder that is first class). I also had to wrangle with the magical tray table that appears from your arm rest (I felt rather stupid, but hey, this was my first first class trip). I also got to catch up on some work while lounging in my huge, leather seat. It was fabulous. Until I realized my plane landed 20 minutes later than it should and it was going to take another 15 minutes to taxi to the gate. I had another plane to catch that was boarding in 10 minutes. For those who have flown into Phoenix, God bless you. The gates are about a mile and a half apart. If you land in gate A but need to get to gate B, expect a trek. I ran like a mad woman (so much for enjoying the last little bit of first class!) and luckily got there in enough time to board, but I could barely breathe. It was not an experience I would like to reenact. I looked crazed and disheveled. I can never get off the plane looking refreshed and gorgeous, it just won’t happen in my lifetime.
Since I have been here, I have gotten to eat at Wang’s in the Desert, an Asian restaurant that makes me salivate just thinking about it. MMMM….walnut shrimp! OK, I’m done. I also ate at the infamous Wally’s, an extremely luxurious dining experience that someone like myself could never afford. I think my eyes popped out of my head when I saw the $40+ price tag on the majority of the entrees. But the food was heavenly. I did have an issue with remembering that while I’m here I’m not supposed to life a finger, literally! I went to pour the rest of my cosmo into my glass and the waiter came over to inform me that HE is supposed to do that for me. I kind of laughed and said, “ It’s cool I can pour my own drink, but thanks!” This is seriously a world I don’t live in.
I also saw the Ten Tenors (yum!) sing at the McCallum. Beautiful voices, hunky men. It doesn’t get better than that. They also came out after the show for a meet and greet. I tried my best not to leap on them with girlish glee. No I Love Lucy moment for me! I contained myself.
I also had a zen experience at the SpaTerre in the Riviera Hotel. That place is gorgeous. I had bought my mom a liquid pedicure for her birthday because who doesn’t need a pedicure with your martini?! Yes, life is tough. We laid out by the pool a bit first and then went in to relax in the “Buddha Lounge”. Oh my god I think I almost feel asleep it was so peaceful (guess it really lives up to its name). This place was the closest thing I’m ever getting to a vacation like Sex and the City 2. It was stunning. But of course it began to rain not long after; however, not having to work has made all of this heaven on earth.
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| SpaTerre Buddha Lounge....absolute bliss! |
I realize I never take time for myself. My better half gives me time to myself because I’m an only child who has always needed a substantial amount of alone time, but that time alone is spent doing work. I always have a deadline and I hate it. I hate that I can’t just go into work and not take stuff back with me. I want to leave my work at the office, but working two and sometimes three jobs doesn’t really afford for that. Besides cooking, I have had no time for myself. It has been rather disappointing. Couple that with people who are constantly posting about their amazing trips abroad and I want to scream. Honestly, I have never been lucky enough to travel abroad. I want to desperately and I honestly feel like this is a big part of what is missing from my life. I have a constant urge to travel and see the world, but no money of which to speak. I’m currently trying to save up for a trip to France because I have dreamt about going to France since I was a child. France and England…these are my two destinations that I will visit first if I have a say in it. Then Ireland, Africa, and Norway, and then after I’ve been to these countries I will go just about anywhere.
But until then I’m thoroughly in love with Palm Springs.
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| View from my window |
