Very Clever, AirTran

It's like they know I drive by this everyday and will likely go home, get online, and book a trip. Doesn't take much to convince me!

(I know it's not a good photo. I was driving and it was raining. In case you can't tell, it says, "Rationalize your shopping spree. Low fares to New York.")

Crossing her fingers.

Earlier this week, I thought to myself, "Stephanie is crossing her fingers." Maybe grad school really is making me think more critically, because that thought led to these:

1. I think in [third person] Facebook statuses. I've done this for a long time now, but every once in awhile, the ridiculousness of it hits me. Really? Facebook has changed the way I think? That's a little scary to me.

Stephanie is really tired but she is watching Annie on ABC Family instead of going to sleep.

Stephanie thinks singing angry girl songs on Wii karaoke can right many wrongs.

Stephanie hopes her group won't wait until 11:48 pm Sunday night to complete and submit their project.

Stephanie made a big mistake by seriously overcommitting herself this fall.

2. What does it mean to cross your fingers? Where did that expression come from? When you think about it, it's kind of silly. How is crossing my fingers going to make something happen - or not happen? To further investigate this phenomenon, I turned to Wikipedia. [I know, I know. Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable source for scholarly work. But this blog is far from scholarly.] Here's what I learned:

To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture used to superstitiously wish for good luck or to nullify a promise. The supposed loophole of crossing one's fingers whilst making a promise is usually exploited by school-aged children. So you're saying I think like a school-aged child? Thanks, Wikipedia.

Crossing one's fingers, by curling the middle finger over the index, is thought to bring good luck. Sure glad you clarified how one crosses her fingers. This dates back to when crossed fingers were used as a gesture to ward off witches and others considered to be or possess evil spirits. It is also seen as bad luck to cross your fingers on both hands.

Some believe that the gesture originates from pre-Christian times and, in many early European cultures, two people were required to use their index fingers to form the sign, one to make a wish and the other to support it. It was believed that the cross was a symbol of unity and that benign spirits dwelt at its intersecting point—to wish on a cross was a figurative way of securing the wish at the intersection until it came true. Over the years, the custom was modified so one person could make a wish on his/her own. I found this interesting. It used to be a two-person activity, and now it's just one. Yeah, I'm an independent woman.

So much for living in the present.

16... Days till New York City

32... Days till the semester ends (!)

95... Days till the Olympics Opening Ceremony

102... Days till Bon Jovi concert #1

188... Days till graduation

215... Days till my birthday/U2 concert

263... Days till Bon Jovi concert #2

[Really? You think I did the math? No way. Definitely cheated.]

Fall Trip #7: Baltimore, Maryland

The day after we got back from the spa, I hopped a plane to Baltimore, where I was having some planning meetings for the June convention we have there.

Here are my three favorite things:

1. The descent into Baltimore - This one's weird, I know. I usually go for the aisle seat, but since this was a short flight I didn't mind my second row window (second row = not bad for being A44). There was a breathtaking view as I stared out my little window. Lots of trees. Lots of colors. I love fall. I had the pleasure of seeing fall in lots of different states this month - and I think this may have been my favorite.

2. The view from my hotel room - We stayed at the new Hilton, across the street from Camden Yards, and here's what I saw:

3. La Scala - We asked a few different people for restaurant recommendations in Little Italy, and this one got the most enthusiastic review. It had indoor bocce! I had a grilled caesar salad and spaghetti carbonara. Double yum!

Now I am home for a bit - and pretty excited about it. I declare the month of crazy: OVER. Next trip - Thanksgiving!

Fall Trip #6: French Lick, Indiana

While French Lick may seem like an odd destination, it was where we chose to do our 2009 spa weekend. Lori and Jenny got into town on Friday, Oct. 23, and we headed down to the spa on Saturday.

Here are my three favorite things about spa weekend:

1. Lori, Jenny and Liz - These are three of my favorite girls from college, and we don't get to see each other too often. Liz is in Louisville, Lori's in Baltimore, and Jenny is in Gallup, New Mexico. When the four of us get together, fun times [and libations] are sure to be had!

I failed. I did not get a photo of all four of us before Liz left.

2. The hot tub - We decided to go swimming on Saturday night, but the [indoor] pool was quite chilly. But then we discovered the [outdoor] hot tub. There was a chill in the air, and the water was all steamy. Perfect hot tub weather, and we could even see some stars.

3. Spa treatments! - While this was admittedly not my favorite spa we've visited, my spa treatments were still very enjoyable. I started with a bath in the special healing water of the Pluto Spring (aka, water that smells like sulphur), then I had a pomegranate scrub and a massage. I'm pretty sure I escaped into some alternate state of awareness during the massage. Bliss.

We're thinking about Vegas for spa weekend 2010!

Fall Trip #5: New York City

Shortly after returning from Rhode Island, I unpacked, repacked, and took a short trip to New York City, Oct. 20-21. This one was for school - as part of one of my classes, I had to attend a conference for professional development this semester. I chose the BizBash show because 1) it was one day and 2) it had very cheap registration.

Here are my three favorite things about NYC:

1. BizBash - This was a really fun meeting/trade show for me to attend. I generally am working with a very small budget on educational meetings, and this show allowed me a glimpse into how the other half does it- the people who get to spend lots of money on things like strolling tables. I met up with two GW friends to spend the day attending educational sessions and perusing some pretty cool products and services on the trade show floor. Alanna and I had our photo taken with the Screaming Queens:

2. Christopher! - It's always a NY fave when I get to catch up with him. While we didn't have a ton of time together, we made the most of it, reminiscing about our high school days and beginning way too many sentences with, "I saw on Facebook that..."

3. Serendipity - I've been trying to make it to this place for a couple years and it's just never worked out. So I was excited when Christopher and I got to go there for dessert. And not just any dessert... the Forbidden Broadway Sundae:

All in all - a quick, but fun and worthwhile trip.

Fall Trip #4: Connecticut and Rhode Island

Then... I went to Connecticut and Rhode Island, October 14-17. Some work with the boxing docs, and some fun, too! Faves:

1. New states! This was my first trip to New England. We flew into Providence, then drove to the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut for the meeting. I must say, I'm a fan of the northeast, especially during fall. It's definitely a gorgeous place to be. And as a bonus, I accidentally went to Massachusetts. I'd never been there, either, so I am coloring a total of three states in on my map!

My house after I get my fancy Master's degree? haha

I think I could sit in that chair for days.

2. Mystic Pizza. We all know I am a big fan of pop culture, so I was excited to stop at the famed Mystic Pizza. The food there is actually really good. Mystic, CT, is a neat place, in general. Plenty of - you guessed it - cute little shops.

3. People I don't see too often. Mom came along with me on this trip, so it was fun to spend some time together. I also got to see Arleen, a school friend who usually lives inside the computer.

This is on the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI. Ahh... ocean.

Next: NYC!