habla espanol?

So most of the time I feel Sam and are both pretty realistic people but then this week I realized this might not always be true. Turns out we have been a bit overly optimistic.

We are heading to Playa del Carmen this Saturday for over a week of sun, beaches, diving for Sam (more pool time for me), excellent Mexican food, and did I mention sun? We have both talked about for some time now - years to be more truthful - about our desire to learn another language.

I took Spanish in high school and college but when my professor starting only speaking Spanish in class I would show up and not even realize it was test day. Seems maybe I wasn't quite keeping up. It was the end of my formal Spanish training and I left being able to say my name, tell everyone I was fine thank you, and count.

Each time I have visited Mexico I am under the delusion I can speak a bit of Spanish and I try and use my very rusty skills on the Mexican population. I have phrases I can say but if someone actually answers my question I suddenly revert to asking them to continually repeat themselves. Finally they start just pointing and using sign language and I suddenly figure it out. See - I think to myself - I really do know some Spanish and given a bit more practice I could be fluent.

So for this trip Sam and I were going to get serious about this speaking Spanish. In theory this sounds like a great idea but the problem is we got serious on Sunday - as in Sunday the 10th 1 week before we leave.

Sam was frantically studying Spanish via the Rosetta Stone while I was using My Spanish Coach on my Nintendo DS. Now I will say I have been trying to buy the Spanish software since I got my DS just after Christmas but not sure that really would have mattered. Even if it hadn't been sold out I don't think those extra 2 weeks would have been long enough for me have conversations in Spanish, at least those that went beyond hello, my name is, and I am doing very well thank you.

So I did the pretest and I ended up on level 9 which was all about summer, raining (not a word I want to know in Spanish I expect sun not rain in Mexico), snow - even worse, and now I am on to family members. While this might be helpful if I was at a family reunion it doesn't seem especially relevant to our trip.

What I really want to know is how to bargain, read a Spanish menu, ask for directions, where the best restaurants are, and how to get to the best snorkeling. Somehow I don't think I will get to this lesson before we leave. Luckily I will have a 5 1/2 plane ride to cram even more.

As we are frantically cramming for our trip I started to have a good laugh at our expense. While it is good we have started our lessons we might be just a tad late to the game here. But then I remembered my resolution was to learn to speak Spanish but do it in a Spanish speaking country. I am pretty sure I can get someone to speak to me while I am sitting at the pool or at a restaurant. If I engage others in conversation I will just have to tell them upfront I want to learn instead of trying out my pre-canned phrases and then wishing they wouldn't speak so quickly.

Why don't I just keep learning about family members and hope I finally pass this level at least I will maybe be able to ask about their abuelas, abuelos, hijas, hijos, hermanas, and hermanos. Now if only I could understand what else they are telling me. Maybe if I keep working at it next year I will be a bit more ahead of the game. See already a reason to return before I have even left on this trip.

there is a limit

This weekend Sam needed to put the dinghy back on the davits. With all the snow we got in Seattle he took the dinghy off the back and put it in front of our boat in the slip.

Fortunately our dock mates were gone so it was a pretty easy task for him to do by himself but they have returned and now the dinghy can't get by. Since marina rules state that a dinghy needs to be stored at the dinghy dock or on the boat it was time for Sam to get it back on. Sam had gotten an exception with all of the snow as we didn't want the extra snowload to make the dinghy too heavy.

Since I needed a boat that would still zip around marinas, bays, and fulfill my need for boating speed (without leaning so much) we got a dinghy that had the largest engine we could but still stayed within the weight limit of our davits, just barely. Too much snow and this might have been a problem.

So Sam recruited me to help him move the boat so he could get the dinghy back out. I was somewhat obligated since technically the dinghy is mine though he seems to really enjoy it. It was not the nicest day outside. Think plenty of wind gusting to almost 30, rain, and cold. Since Sam would have to move the boat away from the dock and circle around while I moved the dinghy I kept waiting for him to say "lets take it for a quick spin".

Well he hadn't even mentioned it and he was now away from the dock. As he drove away to circle around I wondered how long it would be before I saw him again. After all he is now away from the dock and it might be a bit too much temptation for him to immediately return. But within just a few minutes he was heading back down for our slip.

I am sure I would have been more shocked if I hadn't realized the wind had picked up substantially in the few minutes he had been gone and the boat was heading straight to me. We hadn't really come up with a plan before he left for his return and now in heavy wind I had to somehow figure out how he wanted me to help dock.

Remember we learned from all of our docking experiences that the best way to get the boat in the slip with minimum drama is for us to have a plan before we are at the dock. Fortunately he got back in the slip without a whole lot of assistance from the first mate - or dock hand in my role of the day.

Never once did Sam mention taking the boat out for a quick sail or even a motor. Turns out even the most die hard sailor or the most passionate one still knows when port is the best and warmest place to be. Yes there are even times when Sam doesn't have the desire to go sailing or cruise around on his boat, guess I am still learning things about him.

eat more beef

I am not much of a red meat eater much to the dismay of my family. I grew up in a meat and potatoes family and didn't like either much as a kid. My meat choice is still chicken and seafood. I think when I got into cooking and starting actually cooking for Sam he wanted to go out to eat just so he could eat something other than chicken.

In fact my 5 year old nephew inherited those meat and potato genes. Ask him about his favorite food and it is meat and he doesn't mean chicken at least not the kind that doesn't come in breaded strip form. Though he asked if crab was meat and when told it was he said that was why he liked it so much.

Chicken is something that goes best with a sauce and I love sauce. I don't think I would ever eat chicken without some sort of sauce, marinade, or gravy. It is pretty much the vehicle to convey the taste to my taste buds.

For a long time I would eat steak about once a year then I discovered Chicago steak and on a business trip there I ate steak for breakfast and dinner at the same restaurant 3 days in a row. After my first bite at that restaurant I suddenly fell in love with steak and it sounded good enough to eat for 6 straight meals. Then I came back to Seattle and didn't eat much steak again. We know seafood here but steak not so much.

Unfortunately I think most restaurants don't know how to cook a good steak mainly since I want mine medium well. For some reason chefs seem to think even if I am paying they should cook the steak how they really like it and now how their patrons do. There are exceptions but these seem to be very few.

Then I discovered the meat market in Issaquah. They cut the fillets to order and they almost don't even need a sauce (though it only makes it tastier). Not only did they have steak I wanted to eat they also had apple sausage, buffalo pepperoni in both hot and mild. It was enough to make me crave a steak (finally Sam said).

This summer we had the fillets on the boat with fresh crab (lots of garlic butter), sauce for the fillets, twice baked mashed potatoes, salad, and garlic bread. I thought I had reached dining nirvana. So of course on our next trip out we had a repeat though we forgot our chief grill master, Corey, and it was taken down just a notch. Why oh why can't it be summer again on the boat - I can taste it all right now.

I had finally expanded my food horizons and then I got the bacon the guy at the meat market recommended since they know a sucker, or a red meat convert, when they see one. I am not much of a bacon person (fat is really my main issue with red meat so bacon presents a problem) but then I tried their bacon this weekend. In a word yum! In fact we had it both Saturday and Sunday for brunch.

I think I might actually be somewhat of a convert to red meat though chicken will still be our main protein source (sorry Sam). I even actually thought about cooking up the last bit of bacon this morning but then I came to my senses and realized I was already late with it being Monday and all and coming in smelling of bacon might not be my wisest choice. That really isn't a very subtle way to come into the office, though tomorrow I might make a different choice.

resolutions by Sam

So last evening during dinner together I told Sam about the resolutions I had made. At first he thought I was talking about typical resolutions but I told him this year the ones I made were ones I would love forward to and actually want to complete.

After telling him some of my resolutions he wanted to add a few of his own. Now you might notice none of mine have to do with the boat. This is an area where we spend plenty of time and if we keep the status quo we will spend most of our free time on Zig Zag.

But Sam has proposed the following and almost all have to do with the boat which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.

Spend 100 days on the boat . . . Kayla will dock the boat by herself . . . go further north into Canada on our boat than we ever have before . . . start to figure out a way to spend an entire summer on the boat . . . play more golf this year (I think that what he really wants is a way to carry his clubs on board without taking up more room so maybe this should really say that he wants to invent a collapsible set of clubs) . . . and finally for the the non boat related resolution - to make at least a $1 off of his performance reporting website

Now I pointed out last night I did dock the boat by myself - thank you very much. But he reminded me that he didn't put any caveats on his resolution - like I do when choosing to dock the boat - very little wind, ideal conditions, I feel like it, not too many people watching, nobody on the boat but us, and Sam giving feedback before the process. Turns out he wants me to dock the boat in any circumstances without any feedback or pointers from him.

Well this might be one that I think could be worse than those typical resolutions like losing weight. That at least doesn't involve Sam's favorite toy and the possibility of me crashing into the dock or another boat. Don't worry if you see us coming in to the dock as it will still be Sam at the wheel - this is his resolution not mine.

But come to think of it he is a good salesperson as he did convince to to buy the boat in the first place. This could be his biggest sales job to date though he would really like his ultimate sales test to be me saying I will sail around the world or at least to Hawaii. But maybe that is really his plan when he says he wants me to dock the boat.

resolutions

With the beginning of 2009 - okay am a bit late here since it is 5 days in already and am not quite sure how that happened - it is time to make resolutions. Instead of the usual ones I never seen to keep or make headway with I have made the following resolutions I will enjoy and want to keep.

try out a new recipe at least once a week . . . don't pass up any opportunities to travel . . . eat more of the good chocolate . . . go out to dinner with friends or have them over at least once a week . . . take a day off at least once a quarter for no good reason . . . spend more time doing crafts with the nephews . . . take more pictures . . . shut off my cell phone occasionally . . . spend more time in the water - a pool, a lake, the ocean . . . work on my Spanish - while in a Spanish speaking country . . . book our trip to Italy . . . reach out to old friends I haven't been in contact with recently . . . try a new restaurant at least once a month . . . have a date night with Sam at least once a week . . . redecorate at least one room in my house . . . have more fires - in our fireplace and out in the firepit on the deck

These are all things I want to do and look forward to doing so 2009 might be the first time I look forward to keeping my resolutions.

Happy 2009!

online holiday letter

Sam used to write a Christmas letter for us each year but he hasn't for a few years now. I wasn't thinking and made fun of what he said in one and I haven't seen one since.

Instead of mailing out a holiday letter I decided to post one online instead. See if I mailed it now I would be very late but instead by posting it here online I still beat 2009.

2008 has been a year of big highs and big lows but at the end of the year I can honestly say it has been the best year yet. It started out with Sam looking for a new job after his previous company downsized. While it certainly wasn't fun to look for a new job for him and to edit his follow-up letters and introductory letters for me in the end he ended up with a job he really enjoys.

It also meant that he suddenly had a ton of free time in which to play and travel with me for the first few months of the year. Sam is a bit of a workaholic so suddenly we were able to pick up and leave at the last minute together. We got in quite a bit of skiing though I still won't be starring in any Warren Miller films unless it is a blooper reel. We had some incredible snow days with fresh deep powder and even better relatively short lift lines.

We started our travels in January at Playa del Carmen with my sister Tanya, her husband Corey, my sister Carla, her husband Dave, Corey's brother Eric, and his wife Jodi. It is now my favorite place in Mexico. With the beautiful beaches, fabulous food, and clear warm water we didn't want to ever pack up and leave.

In March the Cougs once again made the March Madness tournament and Sam, Carla, Dave, and I headed to Denver to watch them play (and win) in person. Dave and Sam even managed to get some skiing in on one of the off days. Lets hope they make it again and we get this opportunity once more. I would say it is even better than going to a college bowl game.

By May our boat was finally back in the water just in time for Opening Day of boating season. I would say once again the Cougs represented well and made our presence known through the Montlake Cut. Unfortunately now Sam was once again employed so he wasn't able to spend his entire summer on the boat.

Throughout the summer months (though I wouldn't call them warm at all this year with the exception of a very few days) we spent most of our weekends on the boat. In late June we spent the weekend on our boat in Bremerton and then early Sunday morning headed out for Cave B by the Gorge. By Sunday afternoon we were checked into our cabin on the cliff for a few days of lazing by the pool with Tanya and her 2 boys. We called this maximizing our summer.

In July we took our boat to Anancortes so we could go up to the San Juans on the weekends before our week long vacation in August. We were able to visit Salt Spring Island in Canada along with numerous favorites in the San Juan Islands. It was hard to come back home. I decided I could definitely spend an entire summer just cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands - now just need to figure out how to make that happen.

When summer started to come to an end we received news that Sam's mom had been hit by a car while riding her bicycle. She was critically injured and the next few weeks were spent in New Mexico or worrying about her when we couldn't be there. Luckily her recovery surpassed all of our expectations and she was at her mom's house by Christmas. She is still recovering but we are so thankful for how quickly she has healed so far.

Family definitely pulls through during these times and we were the lucky benefits of this. Her friends rallied around as well. We met many of her friends and became even closer as a family with me inheriting a new grandma since Sam's grandma offered to be my grandma now since I lost mine earlier in the year.

In October Sam had a business trip to Amsterdam and I invited myself along. While he was teaching classes I was out exploring the city and figuring my way along the canals. In the evenings when he got back to the hotel I would then know where to go for dinner and what sights to see. We took a day trip to Brussels and now I know for a fact they do make the best chocolate there. To do a thorough quality inspection I sampled a few chocolates from each store and when we got home I realized I should have bought even more chocolates.

I am anxiously waiting to find out from Sam where his next international work trip will take him so I can tag along again.

We still managed to get out on the boat a few more times in October, November, and December. Sometimes the weather cooperated and other times it was a bit chilly but we have heat and I can always go down below while Sam gets out his foul weather gear. We even were able to go to San Francisco and get out on a 54' Hanse for a casual race and sail around the bay.

For Thanksgiving this year we had it at our house. I had a good time making the food with my mom and then having family over to our house. Brining a turkey is now my new way to prep the turkey before cooking. Christmas was at Westcott Bay at my parents. Once again we ate too much food and played a ton of Scrabble.

Throughout the year we had many adventures with friends and family both on and off the boat, though am sure Sam's favorite times were on or around his boat. I even learned how to dock the boat though only in very light wind.

I don't know how 2009 will come close to topping this past year with all that happened but we will give it our best shot. We are starting off January again with another trip to Playa del Carmen so we are on the right track. Our boat isn't in the shop either this winter so we will have even more boating adventures. We hope you can get out with us on the boat in 2009.

Happy Sailing to you and your families and may you always be downwind - much less leaning that way! Happy New Year.

Love,
Sam & Kayla

how to spend Christmas on an island

How do you spend Christmas on an island? Well I offer the following help.

1. First you have to get an invitation. Invite yourself if you must.

2. Scramble for the ferry. Look at the ferry schedule and choose a ferry with a back-up ferry close behind. This means you won't have to wait as long unless you miss both ferries then just hope there is still another ferry coming sometime before tomorrow.

3. Drive as fast as you can towards the ferry. Try not to stop for food or bathroom breaks if at all possible. This is much easier if there aren't any little people or big people with small bladders.

4. Arrive at ferry and realize there are only 15 cars in line and you will definitely make your ferry of choice but you could have stopped for a snack or bathroom break.

5. Go to lane 4 and then tell your husband he has parked in the wrong lane because the snow is covering the numbers. Make him get into the other lane and then keep asking every 5 minutes if he is sure we are now in the correct lane but don't bother to ask anyone yourself.

6. Nephews arrive and make a beeline for your truck. They have to sit on your lap in the front seats since the back seat is very full. Now you realize you will be taking them and their stuff back with you and you are not sure how this is going to happen now.

7. On the ferry enjoy the ride and knowledge that you actually are on your intended ferry though it isn't quite as satisfying since the ferry isn't full.

8. Arrive at the parents house in time for the traditional Christmas Eve cheese and chocolate fondue. You made it just in time though am pretty sure they would have waited for you.

9. Reassure the nephews that Santa can still visit on an island even without a fireplace and that he knows they aren't at their house.

9. On Christmas morning wake to the sound of nephews talking and anxiously wanting to open their stocking and presents from Santa.

10. Watch nephews open presents and secretly (or not so secretly) envy their new Nintendo DS's. Wish Santa would have brought you one.

11. Open stockings and realize someone knew about your love for Glassybaby's. Hurray! Now you just need about 25 more (make that 50)!

12. Watch Dad BBQ a salmon - on an island we don't have routine food like turkey and hams for Christmas dinner.

13. Peel shrimp to go along with the salmon. These are shrimp caught by dad (over the summer of course in season so no need for the Fish and Game Dept to pay a visit) and frozen. We are using the last of the season's catch for Christmas - yum!

14. Eat salmon and shrimp for dinner knowing that this just happens on an island. Wish dad had caught even more shrimp (or I had eaten less over the summer) and ask when shrimping season opens again.

15. Play Scrabble and more scrabble. Annoy everyone not playing scrabble by making up random words and then realizing some are actually in the Scrabble dictionary.

16. The day after Christmas eat omelets and sausage for breakfast then head to Roche Harbor for the donut run because donuts taste better on an island. Walk so you have an excuse to eat more donuts.

17. After the donuts walk the long way to burn off at least 1/2 the calories in 1 donut and wish you had maybe eaten another one since they are so good. Wish you had been smart enough to put on boots instead of tennis shoes to walk through the snow and ice after you crash and realize big bruises will form.

18. See 3 bald eagles and crab pots along the beach on your walk because you are on an island where these things are common.

19. Head back to the house and play more Nintendo DS and Scrabble games during the big wind and rain storm. Be grateful you are in a warm cozy house where even granddogs get to come in outside out of the storm, though Dad still secretly thinks they should be outside.

20. Have turkey for dinner the day after Christmas because on an island at Christmas you have salmon instead but there is still a need for turkey sandwiches.

21. Get up the next morning and once again head down for donuts and your walk but take the short way since it will be soon time to catch the ferry again. Once again wish you had on your boots instead of tennis shoes - too bad there isn't another day on the island since maybe you would have learned your lesson by then.

22. Get a panicked call from your sister telling you they are on the lane up top for their ferry but they should still make it. Keep walking by your dad on the computer while he checks how many cars are in the lanes.

23. The phone rings again and it is the sister saying the ferry wasn't all the way full so no worries.

24. Pack up all our gear and the nephews gear for the trip back. Somehow it all fits but much of it is in the back with Calvin and luckily the little dudes don't need to have their feet on the floor.

25. Drive the truck on the ferry by yourself since Sam, Dad, and the nephews are still in the boat store and didn't leave in time to drive on the ferry. Frantically call them saying the ferry will leave without them.

26. Watch them show up with a minute to spare. Go up top and play some more DS games and wish we had more time on the island during Christmas.

27. Hope secretly mom and dad's house doesn't sell and we will get to spend another Christmas on an island sometime.