Long day is long....
Geez... why do the early afternoon hours seem to take forever? I never realized how slow the day could go (especially when I stupidly left my phone at home today so I can't even text people to keep myself occupied). I'm almost wishing for us to get slammed with business just so time can go by more quickly.
I guess it's as good a time as any for an LJ update. :D
Just got back to work on Tuesday after my week of paid vacation. Not really sure I would classify it as a true "vacation" since I didn't really have the money to go anywhere (at least not for a whole week). However, even though I spent a lot of time doing practically nothing it was still nice. Every now and then having extended "veg" time is a neccesity to keep me from going over the edge of insanity (if I haven't toppled over it already, that is).
I did do a couple of fun things though. I went down to Staunton for an overnight trip to visit Jennie, Shawn and MJ (and met a new friend in Rin!). Much fun and shenanigans were had. ;) On the way back up the following Monday, I stopped in Harrisonburg and took a drive/stroll down memory lane. I took a quick but casual drive 'round the Burg and the JMU campus for old time's sake (I love how I say "old time's sake" even though I only graduated 2 years ago. XDDD). I noticed some of the new additions to campus, including a new set of dorms on the ISAT side of campus, and the brand new performing arts center located across Main St from the Quad. I even went inside and enjoyed that "new building smell". (<---dork) By pure coincidence I happened to run into Claudia while I was strolling around the Quad and she joined me as we met up with another mutual friend, Laura, for lunch at Madison Grill. It was nice seeing them again, particularly in the college setting, and for the briefest of moments it felt like I had never left. *sigh* Part of me really misses college and the days of relatively little REAL responsibility, but I don't know if I could go back and do all that homework (and papers and projects and....) I wonder if there's a way I could go back without having to do homework? You know, just sit in a classroom and learn something just for the hell of it but without the pressure of grades and GPA?
Spent some time hanging out with friends during the week. I had a coupon for a complimentary wine tasting for 2 at Pearmund Cellars (the assistant manager is a former Uno's coworker and she gave me the coupon when I ran into her at the bank), so I took Brandy with me and we tried out some wines and roamed around the vineyards in the very pleasant afternoon weather. I was also coerced into purchasing a bottle of wine (I know, twist my arm, right?).
Thursday evening, Sept 16th, I drove up with Mom to Berkley Springs, WV to go this place called The Country Inn & Five Senses Day Spa. After checking in, we got food at the inn tavern and then relaxed in our room. The next day we wandered around the very small town in the morning, had breakfast at a cute, family-owned cafe, and browsed the local thrift stores and antique shops. After a small lunch we headed back for our spa appointment. Oh my gosh...it was SO nice! We started with a hot mineral bath with jets, then we had an hour long full-body massage followed by a facial. *long, satisfied sigh* I had SO many knots in my shoulders and back that they were able to get out, so it was nice to feel completely relaxed for a change (even if most of the knots are already back after three days at work...¬_¬). THere was complimentary wine and cheese in the inn lobby from 5 to 6, then we went to a place called Ambrae House for dinner (I had an absolutely magnificant steak - OM NOM NOM NOM).
We left right after breakfast on Saturday morning since mom had to be home before noon, but I didn't mind. However, I really intend to go back to that place again if anyone would care to join me for a relaxing spa trip? The rooms are spacious and the beds are queen-sized, so we could comfortablely have 4 to a room! :3
Anyway, I had the rest of Saturday, plus Sunday and Monday left of my time off. I mostly just chilled and got a couple of errands done. Not a bad "vacation" overall. :D The only sucky thing about vacations is that you eventually have to go back to work. >_o
Is it Thanksgiving yet?
~Sarah
P.S. Oh, I DID end up getting to go to Otakon! I got the time off I had asked for even though no one told me I had gotten it. ¬_¬ Soooo since I didn't have a space in any of the hotel rooms my friends had, I stayed at my Aunt Dorna's house in Columbia and rode the Light Rail into Baltimore each day. Turned out to be a much less expensive way of attending the convention (FREE lodging and very inexpensive train fare), even if there was more of a commute.
I guess it's as good a time as any for an LJ update. :D
Just got back to work on Tuesday after my week of paid vacation. Not really sure I would classify it as a true "vacation" since I didn't really have the money to go anywhere (at least not for a whole week). However, even though I spent a lot of time doing practically nothing it was still nice. Every now and then having extended "veg" time is a neccesity to keep me from going over the edge of insanity (if I haven't toppled over it already, that is).
I did do a couple of fun things though. I went down to Staunton for an overnight trip to visit Jennie, Shawn and MJ (and met a new friend in Rin!). Much fun and shenanigans were had. ;) On the way back up the following Monday, I stopped in Harrisonburg and took a drive/stroll down memory lane. I took a quick but casual drive 'round the Burg and the JMU campus for old time's sake (I love how I say "old time's sake" even though I only graduated 2 years ago. XDDD). I noticed some of the new additions to campus, including a new set of dorms on the ISAT side of campus, and the brand new performing arts center located across Main St from the Quad. I even went inside and enjoyed that "new building smell". (<---dork) By pure coincidence I happened to run into Claudia while I was strolling around the Quad and she joined me as we met up with another mutual friend, Laura, for lunch at Madison Grill. It was nice seeing them again, particularly in the college setting, and for the briefest of moments it felt like I had never left. *sigh* Part of me really misses college and the days of relatively little REAL responsibility, but I don't know if I could go back and do all that homework (and papers and projects and....) I wonder if there's a way I could go back without having to do homework? You know, just sit in a classroom and learn something just for the hell of it but without the pressure of grades and GPA?
Spent some time hanging out with friends during the week. I had a coupon for a complimentary wine tasting for 2 at Pearmund Cellars (the assistant manager is a former Uno's coworker and she gave me the coupon when I ran into her at the bank), so I took Brandy with me and we tried out some wines and roamed around the vineyards in the very pleasant afternoon weather. I was also coerced into purchasing a bottle of wine (I know, twist my arm, right?).
Thursday evening, Sept 16th, I drove up with Mom to Berkley Springs, WV to go this place called The Country Inn & Five Senses Day Spa. After checking in, we got food at the inn tavern and then relaxed in our room. The next day we wandered around the very small town in the morning, had breakfast at a cute, family-owned cafe, and browsed the local thrift stores and antique shops. After a small lunch we headed back for our spa appointment. Oh my gosh...it was SO nice! We started with a hot mineral bath with jets, then we had an hour long full-body massage followed by a facial. *long, satisfied sigh* I had SO many knots in my shoulders and back that they were able to get out, so it was nice to feel completely relaxed for a change (even if most of the knots are already back after three days at work...¬_¬). THere was complimentary wine and cheese in the inn lobby from 5 to 6, then we went to a place called Ambrae House for dinner (I had an absolutely magnificant steak - OM NOM NOM NOM).
We left right after breakfast on Saturday morning since mom had to be home before noon, but I didn't mind. However, I really intend to go back to that place again if anyone would care to join me for a relaxing spa trip? The rooms are spacious and the beds are queen-sized, so we could comfortablely have 4 to a room! :3
Anyway, I had the rest of Saturday, plus Sunday and Monday left of my time off. I mostly just chilled and got a couple of errands done. Not a bad "vacation" overall. :D The only sucky thing about vacations is that you eventually have to go back to work. >_o
Is it Thanksgiving yet?
~Sarah
P.S. Oh, I DID end up getting to go to Otakon! I got the time off I had asked for even though no one told me I had gotten it. ¬_¬ Soooo since I didn't have a space in any of the hotel rooms my friends had, I stayed at my Aunt Dorna's house in Columbia and rode the Light Rail into Baltimore each day. Turned out to be a much less expensive way of attending the convention (FREE lodging and very inexpensive train fare), even if there was more of a commute.