it’s not a boat.

Just so you know, I had a super fantastic vacation around the Western Caribbean with my friend (yes, friend) Peter.  I think it’s safe to say, that was the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever been on.  Like, 150% stress-free.

So, what happened?

Rather than give you the super long, not-quite-boring story, I’d rather show/tell you in pictures:

Our boat –

It was basically awesome.  There were maybe 2,000 people on the ship, but you wouldn’t know it (unless you spent all your time on Deck 9 where everyone and their mother spent 10 hours tanning or swimming).  There was so much space.

First stop, Key West -

In the beginning, it was a lovely day.  Peter and I walked all over the island, scoped out places to eat key lime pie, found a few cool looking bars (that were closed, unfortunately), and even made it to the Southernmost point in the Continental US -

Then, as we were making our way back to the ship, we got stuck in a pretty major thunder/lightning storm that almost immediately flooded the entire island.  We had to swim (more or less) back to the ship.  It wasn’t pretty.

Next stop, Cozumel -

Luckily, there was no chance of ridiculous storms while we were in Mexico.   So after finding a cab, we made our way to “downtown” Cozumel where we were immediately bombarded with offers for all kinds of free things: jewelry, tequila, beer, margaritas, pins, etc.  People just wouldn’t leave us alone.  I don’t know about Peter, but that was driving me insane.

So, long story short, we found some food (we’re big spenders…)

…discovered the best store in Cozumel

…and ran into a few lizards on the sidewalks.

Then, we were bound for Belize.

We woke up bright (not really, since our room didn’t have a window) and early for a day of scuba in Belize.  Our adventure in Belize took place here -

out there…

and here -

After several attempts to pass my shallow water test with the air tank (removing the air tube, then putting it back in your mouth…), the diving instructor actually let me scuba with the guys in the “deep end”.   I was crazy nervous at first, but I went with it… and I’m so glad I did.

I wasn’t feeling too well afterwards, but I eventually recovered.

On our final day, Peter and I just laid around in the sun.  My arms, legs and face got five shades darker and Peter just turned an out of control shade of red (I couldn’t help but laugh).

Thankfully, by the time Peter and I left the ship, we didn’t hate each other.  I didn’t expect we would, but there may have been some potential out there.  Also, our anti-couple-ness was only mildly awkward throughout our vacation.

Like I said before, it was a gloriously relaxing and stress-free vacation.  I would go on another cruise in a heartbeat.

Not only was it affordable, but I got to go scuba diving (and see a huge stingray underwater), eat delicious food, learn lots of random things about Peter (I’m sure he learned a lot about me too), practice my Spanish, buy tequila from Mexico – in Mexico, run in the rain (not the safest idea), and RELAX.

dear all,

I’m about to embark on a 6-day journey around the Caribbean with my good friend, Peter.  Hooray for Cruising!  Hopefully I won’t a) fall overboard b) catch swine flu or c) vomit the entire time from motion sickness (I got prescription strength motion sickness drug that cost me $50).  If none of those situations occur, I will consider the trip a success.

I’ll be back on Saturday… 8 shades darker.  And probably 5 pounds heavier.  I hate getting darker and heavier.

Anyway, have a great week everyone :)

Love, Deva

3 countdowns

Countdown #1: 64 days

While I was at work yesterday, I made the biggest little mistake of my life.  I agreed to attend a Britney Spears concert at Madison Square Garden.  Patrick told Adam about it – so Adam passed the news onto me.  The gchat conversation went something like this:

Adam: i haven’t heard back from patrick
about britney tix
they just went on sale

me: yeah, i don’t think i want to go
i don’t want to support her hot mess-ness

Adam: oh gosh, i’m gonna get britney tix i guess

me: you’re kidding me

Adam: patrick wants them

me: i will never forgive myself if i see britney spears

Adam: you know you want to
it would be fun, with patrick and i

me: i don’t really want to
DAMMIT ADAM

Adam: monday night
aug 24
8pm

me: dammit, adam
don’t do this to me
i’m going to hate you.
much much more than i already do

Adam: i’m not forcing you

me: yes you are

me: hmm… okay, fine. i’ll go.

Adam: our seats are gonna suck, but whatever

me: dammit, adam - don’t make me change my mind

Adam: no, don’t
im gonna purchase

Adam: you, me, patrick

me: i hate my life.

I am not a fan of hers.  Sure, I have 20 B. Spears songs on my ipod – but who doesn’t?  They’re so freaking catchy.  But seriously.  I’m mad that 50 (or however many) of MY HARD EARNED DOLLARS are going into her ridiculous pocket.   That is why I hate my life.

But I would die of happiness if she sang performed Lucky.  I legitimately love that song.  Unfortunately, the liklihood of that happening is very small – since she’s come out with so many “good” hits since Lucky’s debut in 2000.

Countdown #2: 28 days

It started out as a solo Devacation (Deva + vacation).  As soon as I told Peter what I was up to, it became a Deva and Peter vacation.  A few days later, we were booking a 6 day cruise around the Western Caribbean.  PS: We’re not dating. Will it be awkward?  Maybe.  At times.  Will it be fun?  Of course.  I’m really looking forward to this trip.

Countdown #3: 10 days

My parents are coming to visit!  I feel like its been forever since I’ve last seen them (since January, I think).  It should be a good time and they’re bringing up more of my stuff from Virginia.

a much needed “vacation”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/world/asia/15australia.html?_r=1

Seriously?

I WANT THIS JOB.

There are at least 200,000 other people who want this job too… but I will win.

new things

1. I gave my final work presentation today – THANK GOD. I’m so glad I scheduled those 3 presentations in the same week. Now I can concentrate on the other gazillion things I still have to do for work…

2. I FOUND AN APARTMENT. Gosh, what an extremely tiring process. I don’t want to look at craigslist again for at least 2 months. As a matter of fact, I’m removing it from my “Bookmarks” tab in firefox. I’m so crazy excited about moving into the city because my commute to work will go from 2 hours to 40 minutes. I really don’t think words alone can express my excitement. I can finally have a life/start my new life in New York City. Oh my gosh… I’m soooooo happy.

Oh – and my new roommate (I’m down to one roommate now) is great too! I’m already starting to think of how I want to decorate my new space. And since my rent is so low, I can pimp out my room with all kinds of cool things (and maybe even save up for a new macbook).

3. In less than 7 days, I’m treating myself to a mini-vacation. It will be nice super awesome to get away from the tri-state area for a few days. I CANNOT WAIT. Again, my job is great, but my brain is tired.

I gotta go

I’m in serious need of a vacation (as Adam and Peter are well aware of). If I could choose any place on the planet to spend a week of my life, it would be Costa Rica.

Q: Why Costa Rica?

A: Well, there’s a story, but I don’t really feel like talking about it. It’s lame, trust me.

There’s an article I ripped out of Budget Magazine 2 years ago called Secret Hotels of Costa Rica and it gives a decent list of inexpensive places to stay on the Nicoya Peninsula. I want a cheap, but fantastically glorious trip.

I’d rather pitch a tent and sleep on the beach, but something tells me that might not be a good idea…

Q: What would I do while in Costa Rica?

A: That’s easy.

I’d climb a few of these…

Obviously, do a ton of this…

But most of all, watch lots of these…

And eventually I’d make my way inland towards San José to climb some mountains, see some nature and meet up with some urban folk.

I really need a break from everything I’ve been surrounded by for the past 6 years. No computer, no cell phone (except for emergencies)… Just my ipod, my camera and a positive attitude (and maybe my Spanish-English dictionary, just in case).

Q: Would you bring anyone else on this “escape from life” vacation?

A: I haven’t decided yet. Maybe my dog?