Not Very Long-Awaited

I am finally over my flu. Today was the first day that I felt 100%. So to celebrate...I went to work! Life as an adult, gotta love it. Ella and I spend a few hours in the office catching up on stuff, then we came home, mopped the kitchen floor, watched an excellent episode of "The Sopranos," and decided to finally post about my vacation before I forget I ever left.

This vacation was more episodic than narrative in nature. The entire point of it was to do a whole bunch of nothing and I pretty much accomplished that goal. In between the doing nothing sessions, this is some of what happened.

1. I picked cherries from a cherry tree in a garden. My sister's host family had the most amazing garden which housed this huge cherry tree. Whenever they are feeling thirsty, the housekeeper, Josefina, climbs the cherry tree and picks the fruit to make homemade juice. I wanted to help, so I got on a ladder and started picking...instead, I ended up just freaking the family out. Once they got me off the ladder, they pacified me by letting me stand on the garden furniture and pick the cherries I could reach. What's even sadder...I was assisted by Dona Negra, my sister's host grandmother. Dona...also called Senor, she's that badass...took a hook and pulled down branches so I could reach them.

2. I'm all done with my long-term "friend with benefits." He came along with me during this trip. It was and continues to be all good. We dated for a couple of months over a year ago. Things ended amicably and we still had a bunch of chemistry. My traveling companion, or TP, and I were aware of what this trip was about...neither of us had any misconceptions. We had a blast together...in every sense...but I think it was what I needed to finally get him out of my system. There's a reason why we're aren't together, and sex is no longer enough to maintain an ambiguous relationship. It took over a year, but I'm finally at peace with my TP and I being just friends. Life as an adult, gotta love it. I don't have any pictures to go with this episode, but this is me taking a picture of him taking a picture of me.

3. Saturday night was a wild and crazy night. My sister and her friend met us at the beach in Cabarete earlier that day. Several bottles of Dominican rum were consumed, lots of cigarettes were smoked, and we saw the sun come up on Sunday morning. There was one ugly episode...which helped me come to the conclusion above...but overall it was a blast. My sister met a very good-looking guy who ended up assisting TP and I in another matter which I can't talk about online because I might get arrested. To the left is a picture I call, DR Sunrise Through Drunken, High, Smoking Haze.

4. My TP and I rented a scooter for twenty bucks and did some exploring. It was cool to see another part of the Dominican Republic. Small towns that don't cater to tourists, lush green valleys that are only populated by cows and horses. Though I was only in the DR for a short time, I feel like I got a well-rounded view of the island...the North Coast at least.

5. We ate a restaurant called Jose O'Shay's. I'm not kidding. See the picture for proof.
6. I highly recommend our hotel, Hotel Casa Blanca. We stayed in the Beach House, which is also the house of the owner. It took 30 seconds to walk from the room to the beach. You've already seen the view. The room was simple but clean, with a big, very comfortable bed. The second best feature is its location. It's at the end of "downtown" Cabarete, so it's only a quick trot to the bars, restaurants and shops, but it's far enough away from the traffic to convince you that you have your own private beach. The first best feature is its price. It was cheap!

That's it. I came to some realizations regarding my relationship with my sister and my TP, both of which I'm thrilled about. I was able to truly relax. I wore flip-flops and no watch for five days...that about sums it up.

Another Reason Why I Question My Life Choices

I heart theatre. I always have. I have a tattoo to prove it. I've been involved in theatre in one way or another since I was in my first school play at six years old. Even when I worked in corporate America, I used the time and the money to try and produce a play.

But then something like this comes along, and it makes me wonder why I love such a stupid a**hole. Because this sounds like one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of. For the life of me, I can't understand it. Please someone explain it to me...perhaps the same person who explains white people in shorts during cold weather.

Sorry for the Delay

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to recount my tales in the DR...it's because I have the flu. I went to work on Tuesday, but by Tuesday night, I was done. My friend thinks that I got sick on the return flight. Which makes sense once you hear about my hellacious adventures getting home...stuck in the airport for 8 hours, people! It's now Thursday and I don't feel any better. If it's any consolation, I have started the post to recount my tales. It's just in draft form.

So to tide you over until I get my energy back, here is the view from the porch and yard outside of the hotel room we stayed at in Cabarete. Yes...it was that beautiful.

I'm Home

It was a great trip and I had a blast. However, right now I'm exhausted so I'll have to tell you about it later.

I'm Off!

Well, this is it. In about an hour, my sister, my friend and I will be in a cab on the way to the airport. You may ask yourself...if L. Britt is supposed to be in a cab in one hour, what is she doing posting on her blog instead of soundly sleeping? Then, I would respond by saying...good question, dear reader! I would then proceed to tell you how this whole day did not go according to plan.

First, I got to work late because my mom and other sister came down to visit the sister that is here from the DR. Then, the day was crazy hectic at work. Then, just when I was about to leave, my boss calls me in to have a meeting about an issue that we had already discussed. Then, I ended up getting home late because I had to run errands. Then, I had to drop Ella off with the friends who are taking care of her, but because I had gotten there an hour late, I couldn't stay more than 10 minutes. Then, I was 45 minutes late to a going away dinner for a friend who is moving back to France while we're in the DR. Then, my friend who's traveling with me didn't have time to pack before the dinner, so we had to go to his house and pack. Then, the subway ride to my house took 90 minutes because it was one in the morning. Then, I started to pack. By the time three thirty in the morning came and went, I stopped rushing because I knew I wasn't going to sleep tonight.

So now I am packed and actually feel confident in my packing job. I have to download the photos in my camera and clear its memory and then, I will be ready to take a shower and wake up everyone else.

I just wanted to say goodbye to everyone. I probably won't post or check comments while I'm away...but I'll take good notes and report back to you. In the meantime, take care of each other and send me funny stories about life in civilization.

You would think that I was leaving for a year the way I'm writing this post! Jeez! I am going to make the days last for as long as possible...so who knows?

Bye!

Random Musings

Just some musings that have occurred to me over the weekend.

1. There are very few feelings as warm and fuzzy as meeting a new friend who you know will become a kindred spirit with you. It's better than meeting a new romantic interest, because there is no angst about rejection or not looking sexy in the skirt you picked out to wear. This feeling occurred for me this weekend when I had a two-hour conversation with a woman I have never met. I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt.

2. My sister is visiting me this week and I am finally embracing the fact that she is a woman. I think that with that acceptance has come a deeper love and understanding. That's cool.

3. It is still a bit unreal that I am going to the Dominican Republic in three days. I haven't even thought about packing.

4. I had a first date on Friday. He was cuter than I remember and all we did was hug at the end. It was unlike any date I've ever had. I was flirtatious without being physical, and I paid attention to any red flag that went up. And I still had a great time and he still wants to see me again.

5. I realized that a friend of mine who once was an incredibly close friend also served as my surrogate boyfriend during a very vulnerable time in my life. Because of that odd dynamic, we are no longer as close. I'm proud that I have finally told myself the truth, but it also makes me sad because he is an amazing person and I wish we were still very close.

6. Grey's Anatomy is officially in my brain. The closing song on last night's episode was Jem's Flying High. Jem's album is always on my nano. I dig those British chicks!

Blog Accessories

I'm sure everyone else already knew this, but apparently there is this website that is filled with quizzes and stuff to put on your blog. That's the entire point of the site. I think that is hilarious!

Anyway, here's the quiz I took...it's actually pretty interesting.

Your Observation Skills Get A B

Your senses are pretty sharp (okay, most of the time) And it takes something big to distract you!

How Observant Are You?

Boy...Did I Need This Good News!

I first heard rumors about it when I moved into my apartment over a year ago. It was supposed to come last summer. But the summer came and went and nothing changed. So I gave up hope.

Then...a few weeks ago, I saw one of those trailers that are used as an office on construction sites. Nothing else...just the trailer. My curiosity was piqued.

Last weekend, as I walked Ella to her vet appointment, men were building a plywood wall around the abandoned parking lot and painting it blue. Something was definitely happening.

Today on my way to the subway, I saw the sign. I stopped in my tracks and smiled. It was official. Target is building a store in my neighborhood.

I don't know if I can fully express my joy over this...there will be a Target within walking distance from my house! I heart Target, absolutely heart it. It is a haven for affordable cereal and seven dollar DVDs. I'm not sure what this will mean for traffic and the population around my hood, but if I get frustrated...I'll just go to Target!

Music on My Mind

I've been tagged again. The Artist Formerly Known as K Lance tagged me. I'm working on my confidence, but it's always weird when I've been thought of...especially by people who I never see. I always think I'm the type of person who is "out of sight, out of mind," you know?

Anyway, my mood actually ties very closely to the theme of this tag. The instructions are as follows:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

I have been feeling really blue lately...not blue, tired. I'm tired of not feeling at peace with myself. So here's my music.

1. Goodbye and Go - Imogen Heap: This is the theme song of me and TBIK. It's all about liking a guy that you can't have. There's even a line in the song I said to him..."We'd be great together."

2. Misdemeanor - Foster Sylvers: I heard this song on an R&B oldies station and totally dug it. I only caught the title of the song though, and it wasn't on iTunes. So I went on a 30 minute internet search to track it down. I heart Google.

3. Purify Me - India Arie: I want to love and be loved like this. I listen to this song with longing.

4. Starry Eyed Surprise - Paul Oakenfold: No matter what mood I'm in, this song can't help but make me smile...like Ella does. I listen to it on purpose sometimes to cheer me up.

5. Gone - Kanye West, Consequence & Cam'ron: I love the lyrics of this song. Kanye says, "You can be my intern...and in turn, I'll show you how I cook up summer in the winter." He also says, "He found a new bitch, now you Jennifer Aniston." How great is that! Besides Cam'ron's voice is crazy sexy.

6. Inaudible Melodies - Jack Johnson: He's so mellow, I dig him.

7. Train on a Track - Kelly Rowland: This is one of the songs that I listen to over and over and imagine me interpretive dancing.

Okay, so I don't think I know seven people who blog, but here's who I would love to hear from:
1. Home Girl
2. Kelly
3. Summer sorry, Home Girl.

I guess I'm not a true blogger, because that's all that I've got. I would tag the writers of "Grey's Anatomy," but I think they are pretty busy.

Gross Story..but Funny!

I'm warning you now...this story is gross. If you don't want to read something gross, go to another blog and don't come back for a couple of days until I post something else. If you do want to stay, don't say you weren't warned.

It all started with my upstairs neighbor. Last week, he started listening to a religious radio station...very loudly. So loudly that I heard every word that was said on the radio station quite clearly. It was like the speaker was aimed downward into my bedroom. Maybe he was trying to tell me something, but I'm a Buddhist, so I didn't get it. I went upstairs to knock on his door and the sound was so loud he couldn't hear my knock. I got the super to talk to him, but all he did was turn it down a notch. Instead of hear every word clearly, I only heard the low tones very clearly. I wrote him a letter asking him to turn down his music at night...no response.

So I commenced to wearing earplugs. They weren't the most effective, but they were comfortable because they were springy and would fill in the shape of my ear. I had them every since I lived in Harlem where the street noise there was unbearable.

I wore these earplugs for about four nights in a row. Every morning I would take them out and put them on my nightstand. Two nights ago, the upstairs neighbor wasn't playing any radio at all. So I left my earplugs on the nightstand...just in case. Last night...no sound again. So I didn't even think about my earplugs.

This morning, I am taking Ella for her morning walk. She stops to do her "business" and I notice bright pink and yellow in her stool. I first freaked out thinking that she had some weird diarrhea mixed with blood...a major cause for concern in a dog. But upon closer inspection, I discovered that those weird colors had a particular shape. That's right, my friends...the bright pink and yellow were the shape of my earplugs.

If you recall, I mentioned that Ella likes to chew gum. Apparently, she found my earplugs and since their spongy texture was similar to gum, she decided to chew them until she swallowed them. And out they came on the other end.

All I could do is laugh. It was too late to scold her...it's hard to effectively punish a dog long after the bad deed...so I just picked up and we walked on. And you wanna hear how much of a dog mom I've become? I thought...thank goodness they went through her. What if they had gotten stuck somewhere and caused her problems?