Things looked SO much better in the morning, both literally and figuratively. I woke up to a view from our balcony straight over the bay, the sun casting colors off the sky that the water echoed, almost seeming to combine the colors halfway between off on the horizon. I lounged on the balcony for a little while , sipping coffee and dozing on a beach chair.
Mike roused a bit later and we took off to the airport to pick up the rental car. In our battle with the map and poorly-marked roads, we slowly realized it may have been a blessing in disguise that we couldn't pick up the rental car the night before. Navigation is so confusing that I'm not sure we would have ever found our resort until we had the benefit of daylight. Winding our way back to the resort, it was about noon and we decided to hit the beach for some activities.
We had been informed that the majority of tourist activities and attractions on the island are totally dependent on the cruise ship business, and that many of those things would not be open unless there was a ship in port. We'd had our eye on the jet ski rentals across the bay from us, and knew we could tell if he was open for business (and therefore whether there was a ship in port or not) by whether or not he had his sun-faded red canopy up.
We walked around the beach to there (the canopy was up) and the owner was busy haggling with some half-drunk college students who were being wrangled by one of their fathers and trying to decide if they were going to go out. The vendor finally acknowledged our presence and told us it would be at least an hour before we could rent. By then, we were fine with that- highly hesitant about sharing the bay with these yahoos on jet skis. I couldn't help but chuckle later when I saw those knuckleheads on the beach just a short time later. They hadn't gone jetskiing, and I sympathized with the vendor- I guess there's really no way for you to be sure who's ready to pony up and get going (us), and who's gonna dinker around, waste your time, and make you lose your other customers in the process (them).
We had brought our snorkel gear with us, so we walked across the road to Coki beach and staked our claim in the sand. We spent the next hour and a half snorkeling at Coki beach. A young islander offered to sell me some tuna to feed to the fish, but I passed. At first we saw just a few schools of very small fish, similar to minnows. We started swimming along the west curve of the bay where it was rocky, and realized thre were coral formations on the rocks in the shallows. Wind and wave were virtually nonexistent in the bay, so the rocks didn't pose a safety hazard. We swam that for a while, watching all the fish zip and dart away when they realized we weren't going to feed them. We finished snorkleing and lounged on the beach for a little while, just soaking up sunshine.
Heading back to the hotel, we decided to find a grocery store- $17.25 for a pound of bacon, a quart of milk, and a small box of cereal from the hotel "pantry" just wasn't going to cut it, and we wanted some better breakfast food. We found KMart, which seems to be the center of commerce, not to mention cheap booze. By the time we got back we were ready for an evening dinner at Fungis, and a straight shot upstairs to collapse into bed for the night.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Honeymoon 6.3
Well the trip down was an adventure, albeit a long and boring one. We both slept for a good portion of the flight from Denver to Miami and the skies were smooth. Miami, however, was trouble from the start. We got off the plane and had a couple of hours before our fligth to Charlotte Amalie and all we wanted to do was sit down and have a relaxing meal. This task proved more difficult than it sounds. We spent about 30 minutes wandering around, unable to find anything more than a kiosk-snack stand. We perused 3 different concourses and found many areas under construction. After quite a while we finally found a sit-down restaurant. We were soon to find out that cheap cafeteria-quality burgers and terrible service were included in their ridiculously high prices.
We finished eating and started back to our gate with about an hour to spare. During our first flight, my travel pillow proved to be a popular item between the two of us, so on the way back to the gate we stopped at a shop and bought another, along with a couple of novels as reading material (this proved to be a wise choice). We sat in the gate area for some time, with the flight having been delayed for an hour. We boarded our flight for Charlotte Amalie and proceeded to sit on the plane for 2 hours. It turns out that two of the three toilets on board weren't working properly. Early on, the pilot came on and made an announcement, badmouthing the ground crew saying they didn't want to fix something that needed to be fixed because they didn't want to do the paperwork. He said he was making them fix it and would kep us updated. 2 hours later, we learned that the problem was fixed, but we had lost our cabin crew. It seems they had already been on flights for 16 hours that day, and by the time our plane was fixed, it would have put them over the threshold of being able to go on our flight due to the length.
We sat on the plane for another hour and a half or so after that awaiting a new cabin crew. Mike and I just happened to have gotten lucky- we had an empty seat in our row, which gave us a little extra room to stretch out and be more comfortable. That wasn't MUCH of a consolation, because by that time we both had an upset stomach from our overpriced burgers.
We finally took off over 3 hours late, losing our chance to pick up the rental car in the process. The flight was turbulent, and we had more to come. We landed and picked up our luggage without any problems. We proceeded to the taxi line and were squeezed into a 12-seat van with 15 other people, luggage piled to the ceiling behind us. As we pulled aay rom the airport, the guy in front of us remarked, "Ready for the roller-coaster ride??". Apparently he'd been there before, because that was an accurate description of the next 35 minutes. We darted and weaved through side streets, and flew around the hilly, winding switchbacks of the main highways at about 45 mph (speed limit 10-20).
The drive certainly was interesting. there's so much old construction. Most of the buildings are so run-down that they look ancient, and make me think of what I've imagined New Orleans looks like. There are churches everywherer, complete with graveyards full of above-ground crypts & elaborate monuments- surrounded by anything from dilapidated white picket fences to ornate wrought-iron handiwork. The drivers here seem very reckless, and at one point we stopped abruptly in what appeared to be the middle of the highway because the driver of the car in front of us had to back up his driveway which was hidden from our view at breakneck speed, almost paralell to the road and at a 40+ degree incline.
We arrived at the resort where security checked us in. We got up to our villa and came inside. We were immediately disappointed- opening up the door to be greeted by a wall of hot air. It was mostly like the pictures, except everything was now painted a dingy white instead of the beautiful exposed-wood vaulted villa ceilings. Aside from one small wicker dresser, the storage in the room consisted of Wal-mart style particle board and white laminate cabinets. There were several things that didn't seem to be working right, not the least of which was the air conditioner. I very much meant what I said while trying to cheer Mike up- that I was still very excited to be there with him. Seeing how disappointed he was, and the condition of the villa, at that point I worried that this could be a very long week...
We finished eating and started back to our gate with about an hour to spare. During our first flight, my travel pillow proved to be a popular item between the two of us, so on the way back to the gate we stopped at a shop and bought another, along with a couple of novels as reading material (this proved to be a wise choice). We sat in the gate area for some time, with the flight having been delayed for an hour. We boarded our flight for Charlotte Amalie and proceeded to sit on the plane for 2 hours. It turns out that two of the three toilets on board weren't working properly. Early on, the pilot came on and made an announcement, badmouthing the ground crew saying they didn't want to fix something that needed to be fixed because they didn't want to do the paperwork. He said he was making them fix it and would kep us updated. 2 hours later, we learned that the problem was fixed, but we had lost our cabin crew. It seems they had already been on flights for 16 hours that day, and by the time our plane was fixed, it would have put them over the threshold of being able to go on our flight due to the length.
We sat on the plane for another hour and a half or so after that awaiting a new cabin crew. Mike and I just happened to have gotten lucky- we had an empty seat in our row, which gave us a little extra room to stretch out and be more comfortable. That wasn't MUCH of a consolation, because by that time we both had an upset stomach from our overpriced burgers.
We finally took off over 3 hours late, losing our chance to pick up the rental car in the process. The flight was turbulent, and we had more to come. We landed and picked up our luggage without any problems. We proceeded to the taxi line and were squeezed into a 12-seat van with 15 other people, luggage piled to the ceiling behind us. As we pulled aay rom the airport, the guy in front of us remarked, "Ready for the roller-coaster ride??". Apparently he'd been there before, because that was an accurate description of the next 35 minutes. We darted and weaved through side streets, and flew around the hilly, winding switchbacks of the main highways at about 45 mph (speed limit 10-20).
The drive certainly was interesting. there's so much old construction. Most of the buildings are so run-down that they look ancient, and make me think of what I've imagined New Orleans looks like. There are churches everywherer, complete with graveyards full of above-ground crypts & elaborate monuments- surrounded by anything from dilapidated white picket fences to ornate wrought-iron handiwork. The drivers here seem very reckless, and at one point we stopped abruptly in what appeared to be the middle of the highway because the driver of the car in front of us had to back up his driveway which was hidden from our view at breakneck speed, almost paralell to the road and at a 40+ degree incline.
We arrived at the resort where security checked us in. We got up to our villa and came inside. We were immediately disappointed- opening up the door to be greeted by a wall of hot air. It was mostly like the pictures, except everything was now painted a dingy white instead of the beautiful exposed-wood vaulted villa ceilings. Aside from one small wicker dresser, the storage in the room consisted of Wal-mart style particle board and white laminate cabinets. There were several things that didn't seem to be working right, not the least of which was the air conditioner. I very much meant what I said while trying to cheer Mike up- that I was still very excited to be there with him. Seeing how disappointed he was, and the condition of the villa, at that point I worried that this could be a very long week...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
It's Official!
I am now MRS. Michael Weimer, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it! I journaled a bunch this past week, and will be typing up and posting those hopefully in the next several days- check back!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
2nd Amendment
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." For the first time in 70 years, the Supreme Court is hearing what could be a far-reaching case addressing 2nd ammendment rights. The primary argument of the opposition is that the second amendment is only one clause- essentially, that the issuance or allowance of arms is only for the intent of an organized militia. (No private ownership/use was meant to be allowed). This is a dangerous sentiment that could have national implications if the Court assents to this argument. They would essentially be holding that the District of Columbia (and other states if they wished to follow suit) could Constitutionally ban the ownership of previously legally owned firearms. The GOOD NEWS: For the most part, so far it seems that the Justices lean toward the "Individual Rights" and that's a good sign. Audio of the Oral Argument can be heard at:
http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2007/2007_07_290/argument/
The transcript of Oral Argument can be read at:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/07-290.pdf
Socially, it's my opinion that the majority of Americans that are in favor of stricter gun control laws aren't aware that the legal ownership of firearms by responsible gun owners is actually BENEFICIAL to their safety.
Politically, it's my opinion that we need to be well aware of these issues as they come up.
Mafia turncoat, Sammy "the Bull" Gravano: "Gun control? It's the best thing you can do for crooks and gangsters. I want you to have nothing. If I'm a bad guy, I'm always gonna have a gun..."
Just ask the Australians- after a MASSIVE gun ban in 1998, the one-year statistics showed an INCREASE in crime- Homicides up 3.2% overall, assaults up 8.6%, armed-robberies up 44%. (yes, FORTY-FOUR PERCENT), homicides involving firearms up 300%
This after Australia had previously seen a steady, 25 year DECREASE in armed robberies and gun-related homicides. These are just a few of the statistics after just a year of their gun ban.
http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2007/2007_07_290/argument/
The transcript of Oral Argument can be read at:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/07-290.pdf
Socially, it's my opinion that the majority of Americans that are in favor of stricter gun control laws aren't aware that the legal ownership of firearms by responsible gun owners is actually BENEFICIAL to their safety.
Politically, it's my opinion that we need to be well aware of these issues as they come up.
Mafia turncoat, Sammy "the Bull" Gravano: "Gun control? It's the best thing you can do for crooks and gangsters. I want you to have nothing. If I'm a bad guy, I'm always gonna have a gun..."
Just ask the Australians- after a MASSIVE gun ban in 1998, the one-year statistics showed an INCREASE in crime- Homicides up 3.2% overall, assaults up 8.6%, armed-robberies up 44%. (yes, FORTY-FOUR PERCENT), homicides involving firearms up 300%
This after Australia had previously seen a steady, 25 year DECREASE in armed robberies and gun-related homicides. These are just a few of the statistics after just a year of their gun ban.
Gun Nut
I sent an email to some friends a while back, because I like the Constitution and the rights it affords Americans- call me a gun nut if you will. I don't think I could dispute that.
I like the idea of hunting my own food- I can almost guarantee you that the way an animal dies in that circumstance is more humane than the way your slab of cow died in the slaughterhouse... Inflammatory? Maybe. True? It depends on the slaughterhouse, but in the vast majority of circumstances- yes.
There is nothing to fear from the responsible, legal gun owners that value safety, sport, and work with various agencies to ensure conservation and population control of various species.
What IS scary is the stance on gun control of one current presidential candidate in particular. Obama: As a state legislator in Illinois, Obama supported banning the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic firearms. You have GOT to be kidding me. This would prohibit a .22 pistol for target shooting. It would prohibit nearly EVERY modern handgun kept in safes around the nation for personal/home protection. That legislation in its original form (read: written by people who know nothing about firearms) could have prohibited sidearms carried by members of some law enforcement agencies.
In any case (no pun intended), the subsequent post is my brief email to friends re: the 2nd amendment case currently under advisement in the U.S. Supreme Court.
I like the idea of hunting my own food- I can almost guarantee you that the way an animal dies in that circumstance is more humane than the way your slab of cow died in the slaughterhouse... Inflammatory? Maybe. True? It depends on the slaughterhouse, but in the vast majority of circumstances- yes.
There is nothing to fear from the responsible, legal gun owners that value safety, sport, and work with various agencies to ensure conservation and population control of various species.
What IS scary is the stance on gun control of one current presidential candidate in particular. Obama: As a state legislator in Illinois, Obama supported banning the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic firearms. You have GOT to be kidding me. This would prohibit a .22 pistol for target shooting. It would prohibit nearly EVERY modern handgun kept in safes around the nation for personal/home protection. That legislation in its original form (read: written by people who know nothing about firearms) could have prohibited sidearms carried by members of some law enforcement agencies.
In any case (no pun intended), the subsequent post is my brief email to friends re: the 2nd amendment case currently under advisement in the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Unjustified" Police Shooting
My rant for the day:
http://www.9news.com/rss/printarticle.aspx?storyid=92047
1. "There was no reason for anyone to kill him. A good person like him shouldn't have gotten killed the way he got killed,"
If someone’s charging me with a knife, I’m going to defend myself. I think that’s a pretty good reason. Law enforcement has even more of a right to do so- protecting not only themselves, but the public.
2. "Why didn't they shoot him in the foot instead of his body? If he had a knife, they could have just shot him in the foot, maybe an arm…
Are you defective? 50,000 volts and a pepperball didn’t stop this guy. It didn’t even make him drop the knife and you think a flesh wound to the foot would?? Do you know anything about adrenaline and the human body, much less an adrenaline/alcohol combination? Also, how easy do you think it is to hit the foot of a moving target as opposed to the torso?
3. “The punishment is for my kids, they took away their dad," said Valencia, through an interpreter.
No, the responsibility for that is SOLELY on the knife-wielding man that charged police. Don’t get me wrong- it’s a tragedy that these children will live without a father and I wouldn’t wish death nor the loss of a loved one on anyone. However, the law enforcement officers didn’t just pull up to these folks’ house one day, get out, and decide to pop a few rounds into an innocent party.
4. “A good person like him shouldn't have gotten killed the way he got killed...” Altagracia says she and Odiceo had been married for 24 years. They had separated two months ago…
... Valencia had a restraining order against him and was prohibited from being at the Dillon address, a home where Altagracia is currently living with her children.
“A good person like him…” If he was such a good person and there was no reason to fear him, why do YOU have a restraining order against him?
5. "Nothing is going to bring my husband back," said Valencia, through an interpreter. "But what they did to my husband they are going to continue to do. How many kids are they going to leave without their dads, because they are cops and have the right to kill?"
That’s right. Cops run around shooting people just because they have the right to kill. I’d like to see what this lady would do with a gun in her hands and a drunk guy running toward her with a knife …
There’s been some discussion that he was shot because he did not understand the instructions police were giving him in English, and spoke only Spanish. I've not been able to find anything substantiating whether or not there was a Spanish-speaking officer on scene. Whatever the case, for the sake of argument, I'm going to assume that's irrelevant because-
Let’s review: you have a knife in your hands and you’re threatening the lives of others. The police are yelling at you- eventually have to tase you and when that doesn’t work, they shoot pepper ball at you (essentially a paintball that hits with great force and delivers a blast of pepper spray).
Even if you don’t have much intelligence AND don’t speak the language, it takes even just rudimentary survival skills to know that the folks with the guns want you to put the knife down- not charge them with it.
http://www.9news.com/rss/printarticle.aspx?storyid=92047
1. "There was no reason for anyone to kill him. A good person like him shouldn't have gotten killed the way he got killed,"
If someone’s charging me with a knife, I’m going to defend myself. I think that’s a pretty good reason. Law enforcement has even more of a right to do so- protecting not only themselves, but the public.
2. "Why didn't they shoot him in the foot instead of his body? If he had a knife, they could have just shot him in the foot, maybe an arm…
Are you defective? 50,000 volts and a pepperball didn’t stop this guy. It didn’t even make him drop the knife and you think a flesh wound to the foot would?? Do you know anything about adrenaline and the human body, much less an adrenaline/alcohol combination? Also, how easy do you think it is to hit the foot of a moving target as opposed to the torso?
3. “The punishment is for my kids, they took away their dad," said Valencia, through an interpreter.
No, the responsibility for that is SOLELY on the knife-wielding man that charged police. Don’t get me wrong- it’s a tragedy that these children will live without a father and I wouldn’t wish death nor the loss of a loved one on anyone. However, the law enforcement officers didn’t just pull up to these folks’ house one day, get out, and decide to pop a few rounds into an innocent party.
4. “A good person like him shouldn't have gotten killed the way he got killed...” Altagracia says she and Odiceo had been married for 24 years. They had separated two months ago…
... Valencia had a restraining order against him and was prohibited from being at the Dillon address, a home where Altagracia is currently living with her children.
“A good person like him…” If he was such a good person and there was no reason to fear him, why do YOU have a restraining order against him?
5. "Nothing is going to bring my husband back," said Valencia, through an interpreter. "But what they did to my husband they are going to continue to do. How many kids are they going to leave without their dads, because they are cops and have the right to kill?"
That’s right. Cops run around shooting people just because they have the right to kill. I’d like to see what this lady would do with a gun in her hands and a drunk guy running toward her with a knife …
There’s been some discussion that he was shot because he did not understand the instructions police were giving him in English, and spoke only Spanish. I've not been able to find anything substantiating whether or not there was a Spanish-speaking officer on scene. Whatever the case, for the sake of argument, I'm going to assume that's irrelevant because-
Let’s review: you have a knife in your hands and you’re threatening the lives of others. The police are yelling at you- eventually have to tase you and when that doesn’t work, they shoot pepper ball at you (essentially a paintball that hits with great force and delivers a blast of pepper spray).
Even if you don’t have much intelligence AND don’t speak the language, it takes even just rudimentary survival skills to know that the folks with the guns want you to put the knife down- not charge them with it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Countdown Continues
As of today, 48 days left!
I don't know where the time has gone since July of last year. I did work a LOT last summer, but the months have simply flown by. In 2 weeks I'll be moving into the apartment that will be our first home together, then it's only 5 weeks until the wedding! Plus, the week after I move in, Mike graduates with his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. I couldn't be happier, couldn't be prouder.
On another note, we've been taking lindy hop classes and having a BLAST with that. We have an all-day intensive workshop coming up next weekend that I am REALLY looking forward to. It should add a lot to our repertoire, and give us a lot more polish to the stuff we already know.
Finally, a little treat- you can take a peek at our engagement photo session here:
http://www.ganderproofs.com/store/picturesNew.asp?event=SK100240088
I don't know where the time has gone since July of last year. I did work a LOT last summer, but the months have simply flown by. In 2 weeks I'll be moving into the apartment that will be our first home together, then it's only 5 weeks until the wedding! Plus, the week after I move in, Mike graduates with his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. I couldn't be happier, couldn't be prouder.
On another note, we've been taking lindy hop classes and having a BLAST with that. We have an all-day intensive workshop coming up next weekend that I am REALLY looking forward to. It should add a lot to our repertoire, and give us a lot more polish to the stuff we already know.
Finally, a little treat- you can take a peek at our engagement photo session here:
http://www.ganderproofs.com/store/picturesNew.asp?event=SK100240088
Monday, February 25, 2008
WeddingTop 3 FAQ
1. "How are the wedding plans coming?" Invariably, this is the question I hear from friends I haven't seen for some time. What's odd is that it's an even more common question from complete strangers. I have just about perfected the monologue:
"Well, when Mike proposed he had a month before he was headed back to school for the last semester of his graduate program. He mentioned that he was more than happy to help with all the planning so I didn't have to do everything, so we jumped into it right away. By the time class started for him 3 weeks later, we had nearly everything planned."
The most common response: "WOW! You guys are really on top of it!" The segue may not seem clear, but I assure you they're related:
2. "Now it's time for all the last-minute details!" I can assure you that while I'm certainly aware that there are things that will have to happen in the next 3 months, there are not THAT many details to be taken care of. In fact, there are not that many details I'm concerned with at ALL. As a matter of fact, that leads me directly to the next question:
3. "You must really be getting stressed now." Why must I? Having considered the previous two questions, what is there to be stressed about? It's not as if all of a sudden one day we decided to get married and have that to be nervous about. We'd spent a year and half dating nd ultimately discussing in great detail our faith, our plans, our values, our futures- not to mention the hours praying and surrounding ourselves with people who share those values and helped us grow our relationship to what it is today.
Culturally, it must seem odd that I'm not nervous in the least, but it's funny how that can happen when you're in a Christ-centered, loving and monogomous relationship. Is that redundant considering I started the description with "Christ-centered? As far as last minute details, I've recruited a dear friend to play "day-of-coordinator" because my plans for that day are as follows:
1. Wake up
2. Get Married
3. Celebrate with people that are JUST ABOUT as excited as we are about our marriage- note: marriage, not just wedding
4. Enjoy my new husband (Take from that what you will. I'm entitled to anticipate that as we begin our life together!)
"Well, when Mike proposed he had a month before he was headed back to school for the last semester of his graduate program. He mentioned that he was more than happy to help with all the planning so I didn't have to do everything, so we jumped into it right away. By the time class started for him 3 weeks later, we had nearly everything planned."
The most common response: "WOW! You guys are really on top of it!" The segue may not seem clear, but I assure you they're related:
2. "Now it's time for all the last-minute details!" I can assure you that while I'm certainly aware that there are things that will have to happen in the next 3 months, there are not THAT many details to be taken care of. In fact, there are not that many details I'm concerned with at ALL. As a matter of fact, that leads me directly to the next question:
3. "You must really be getting stressed now." Why must I? Having considered the previous two questions, what is there to be stressed about? It's not as if all of a sudden one day we decided to get married and have that to be nervous about. We'd spent a year and half dating nd ultimately discussing in great detail our faith, our plans, our values, our futures- not to mention the hours praying and surrounding ourselves with people who share those values and helped us grow our relationship to what it is today.
Culturally, it must seem odd that I'm not nervous in the least, but it's funny how that can happen when you're in a Christ-centered, loving and monogomous relationship. Is that redundant considering I started the description with "Christ-centered? As far as last minute details, I've recruited a dear friend to play "day-of-coordinator" because my plans for that day are as follows:
1. Wake up
2. Get Married
3. Celebrate with people that are JUST ABOUT as excited as we are about our marriage- note: marriage, not just wedding
4. Enjoy my new husband (Take from that what you will. I'm entitled to anticipate that as we begin our life together!)
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