Friday, March 15, 2024

Race 2 and Harry Potter World

Race #2 had a disappointing finish. Started at 21 and fell back to 23.
Nick was sick and stuffy. He didn't feel well and just wasn't feeling it.
I'm proud of Nick for not blaming the car or the other drivers or anything. 
Just had a bad race. 

But... we were looking forward to going to Harry Potter World in Orlando tonight!

These Lambos all lined up in the Lamborghini corral were def making a pretty picture.




Courtney and Michael flew to Orlando last night so they could meet us.
Courtney worked all day in the hotel, but Michael is on Spring Break and went over to early entry and got the lay of the land so we knew what to expect on Saturday and could maximize our time.

But we used our few hours this evening to walk around Diagon Alley, 

visit Gringott's,



drink frozen butterbeer,

shoot the aliens in the MiB ride and go on the Hollywood Coaster once 
(for me--my head was banging around too much)
and twice for everyone else.



A late, late night dinner at Hard Rock where Nick and I reminisced about eating there three nights in a row when we came together ten years ago. 

6:30 alarm tomorrow so we can be extra early in line for early admission!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

They're Here

I'm getting a little more comfortable enjoying the nature and worrying less about
getting attacked, dragged into the lake by a modern-day dinosaur and disappearing without a trace.


It's a lovely spot to spend the mornings.


I thought these little guys were alligators yesterday with their beady eyes hovering 
at the waterline. But they're just not-very-cute turtles because of their extra long necks.
I'm sorry to say I'm prejudiced against them as the Hawaii turtles look so much sweeter and friendlier.


Camille arrived after a red-eye flight and a two-hour drive (car service).
What a good sport she is! She got a little snooze while Dan, Nick and Chris Stone went to the track so Nick could get set up. Then Dan came back to pick us up for the race.



Nick started at 19th and ended in 18th. 
He hoped to move up more spots, but each race you learn something,
even if you don't finish where you hope to.

I'm learning a lot about how its not just driving as fast as you can. 
Everyone on the track can do that and everyone needs to be fast without thinking about it
so they can focus on all the other elements at play--physics, for one.


He had autograph signing in the afternoon and his #1 fan got a signed poster.
Then she waited in line again to get one for me too. 


When we arrived home that evening, guess who was welcoming us.


Delicious dinner at Chicanes.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Sebring, Florida

Yesterday was a long travel day with a 3.5 hour flight to Orlando,
a two hour wait in the Delta Club for Nick's flight to arrive from SLC,
then a two hour drive to Sebring. 

Our little AirBnB is only ten minutes from the track and on a beautiful lake,
quiet, picturesque and full of alligators. 
Well, I'm not actually sure that its full of alligators, but we're in Florida,
so I'm assuming.


The boys had an early morning and full day at the track for 
driver's meetings, practice and qualifications.
I spent the day trying to enjoy the lovely surroundings,
but jumping at every splash and rustle.

I exercised, queried two more agents, did a little more research, and listened to my book.


We met up for dinner at Outback Steakhouse (Nick's choice)
and ordered the Bloomin' Onion (my choice).

Dan texted the home owner and found out there indeed are alligators in the lake.
One. A baby. That hangs out on the deck stairs. 
The mom came from a lake six miles away and laid an egg last year.
I have so many questions. 
Like...does she ever come for a visit?

Monday, March 11, 2024

Leaderboard

Marty and Lizzie are back from France. I've missed them on the leaderboard.
Missing Michael who's in Iceland for Spring Break.
Courtney? Are you on the train to Philly?




Is Emi just the cutest as a little French Bambino? 


Did some work this afternoon with a couple of lady friends.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

A New Church

Church was held in the Collegiate Catholic Boys School
now that the Manhattan Temple is being remodeled.

I wish I had a picture of the stain glass and sanctuary with its beams and vaulted ceiling.

But this picture I do have is of the speaker, Jenna.
It took me a few minutes to figure out how I knew her, but when she shared that she's from San Diego, it all clicked together. She's a best friend of Morgan and has been to our home many times!


I also met a woman who was from Salt Lake.
Turns out she was from Holladay! 
We had a fun conversation getting to know each other and look forward to
running into each other again--maybe at Harmon's.

After church Courtney came over and made her meals for the week
and we met the Petersens for dinner at Han Dynasty.

Saturday, March 09, 2024

Christmas Present, Part 2

The best byproduct of Dan's Christmas gift is its in New York and 
we get to spend time with Courtney.

This morning we rambled through The Ramble.



First signs of spring!



We ate lunch at Viand, new for all of us then parted ways for home just as it started to rain.

Dan got us foot massage appointments at a Chinese Spa a block away.
We were a little surprised when they directed us to a regular massage room.
And they were surprised to come back in and find us fully dressed.

We had a bit of a communication error, but we were only too happy to have full body massages instead and will definitely be going back. The best kind of sore.

We met Courtney for dinner at Saravanaa Bhavan and tried some new Indian dishes:

Channa Bhatura--a huge puffed bread you tear off and dip into a chickpea soup.
It reminded us of a giant savory sopapilla.

Bosa--a humongous (think cookie sheet size) rolled crepe with potatoes inside.
The thin dough was crunchier than a crepe with a cheesy flavor. So good!
(You can see it behind the puff.)

With our Naan, we had three different breads, all with different flavors and textures,
and all three equally delicious.

We probably wouldn't order all three again, but how to choose which one?!


Courtney warned us we'd need to change clothes afterward (food smell),
so after dinner we went back home to get ready for the night I had been dreading,
joyfully looking forward to -- Dan's Christmas Present -- a night at the opera, Madama Butterfly.

Now Dan says All. The. Time. how he just loves the opera.
Our first opera together was in Argentina at the grand Teatro Colon--
we got a babysitter for Courtney and dressed up and both of us remember it being such a fun night.

Years ago Dan saw Carmen at The Met while on a business trip which only fueled his love for the art.

Then a few years ago I accompanied him to The Marriage of Figaro, (was that with the Bywaters?)
but let me tell you, I hated it. The storyline didn't make a bit of sense.
Later, Ann S. told me you go for the music, not the storyline. Hmm.

So I thought it was very gracious of me to 1) remember his supposed love of the opera for Christmas
2) Buy two tickets and attend with him. (Remember how I paid a babysitter to take Courtney to the Nutcracker when she was ten? I'm not above bowing out.)

Seeing a show at The Met was exciting and the theater is lovely.
(If we ever make a billion dollars, I'm donating a chunk to Abravanel Hall in install fancy light fixtures,
gussy up the gold walls near the stage, and also purchase prettier chairs for the orchestra.
It's a pet peeve of mine.)


We were there early enough to wander and take it all in.
And while we didn't recognize any of the music, the performance was beautiful.
I especially loved the puppeteering because I'd read about the dying Japanese artform
in the Playbill ahead of time and appreciated the technical difficulty.
However, the couple next to me clearly hadn't and they were bursting trying to not laugh out loud.
(It was actually pretty funny and at intermission I told them I was very impressed they kept it together.)

I might have had a short snooze during the First Act. 
And wished we weren't off sugar so we could enjoy a treat during intermission.

But I really did enjoy it. 
Not the storyline. That I didn't enjoy.
But not because it was poorly written (well, maybe a little unrealistic written by a man in the early 1900's
who thought a mom would just give up her son with the new wife's reassurance "I'll love him like my own." Don't get me started.)

BUT, thankfully we were prepared with the storyline ahead of time and knew it was a tragedy.



When it was over, Dan's first statement was, "Well, we survived."
No, sir. 
I survived. And even had a good time, I might add.
You, you have been talking about this for years. You just enjoyed a dream come true.
😂

I'd go back. I think I'll look for storylines I can get behind, however.

Friday, March 08, 2024

Christmas Gift Part 1

Merry Christmas to me and Dan!
Part 1 of my gift to him was tickets to Jerry Seinfeld at the Beacon.


I went with Courtney and Michael last year so I was thrilled when 
he was still performing and I could go with Dan.


We were so excited when the show ended by 8:45 and we still had 
an evening to enjoy at home!
I made protein bites and worked on learning the handstitch to teach our 
Relief Society for our service project (it's easy!).


We both worked today, so not many photos.
But I had a fantastic, sunny, walk in Riverside Park this morning.
I didn't get outside in the daylight yesterday, so when the sun was shining this morning,
I couldn't wait to get out and soak it up.