Okay, as promised, here my update.
Panama: It was amazing. Utterly and completely. Many of you have heard personal accounts, so I will only highlight here. Also, I am working dilligently (read: when I am supposed to be working on thesis) to update my photos, so soon you will be able to check those out. Anyway, Panama is a beautiful country, really. Both tropical (outside the city) and very modern (in the city). Probably the very coolest thing my dad and I did was go to visit a Chochoe Indian village on an island in the middle of this giant river in the depths of the jungle. It was amazing. We drove out to a spot where a Chochoe guide met us and canoed us to the island. There, we changed and the same guide canoed (is that even a word?) us further into the jungle to a "secret" swimming hole/waterfall. My dad and I swam around in the clearest most beautiful water. It was unbelievable. At one point, my dad turned to me and said, "Do you realize that this time one year ago, I was hooked up to chemo, wondering how much longer I had left. And now, I am here swimming in the jungle?" We both teared up. It was a surreal moment, and one that neither of us was sure was going to happen at all.
The whole reason we went to Panama was because my dad read a book about the construction of the famous Panama Canal (all you engineering folks out there might be interested in learning about it). When he got sick, he thought he would never be able to see it himself, so when he started getting better over the summer he decided he had better go now and I volunteered to go with him. The last thing we did there was take a four hour cruise of the actual canal. I didn't think I would love it, but I had no idea how boring it was actually going to turn out to be. Thank God I had the foresight to bring a book along. Apparently, I acquired the nickname "girl with the book," as I had a lot of people on the bus ride back into town call me that. Weird. Anyway, my dad really wanted to see it and I think he (kinda) enjoyed it, so it was worth it. Never again, though.
So, those are the highlights from my week in Panama. All in all, a fantastic way to kick off 2006. Already it is vastly superior to 2005. If you want to know more, just ask me. I love talking about it.
Okay, so on to the boy situation. It is official-- Eric and I are together. We've been dating since about November sometime, but we became official "boyfriend/girlfriend" January 20(?) or something. He's great. I am really happy. We met swing dancing (as you my know from reading this) and just really hit it off. He's met my family and Bako friends and I have met all his significant people. Everything is good. :-D I must admit, I was not looking for or anticipating a boyfriend this year at all. But sometimes people come along a you have a connection and things happen. I would be an idiot to throw that away just because it's not what I was looking for. Like a good friend told me today, just because he might not have been what I looking for just now could mean that he is exactly what I need right now. Or something like that.
And finally, Nat and I had our second Bakersfield adventure this past weekend and it was a blast. Friday night we went to see Capote (which I HIGHLY recommend to the film junkies out there) and then hung out with the usual suspects (being Becca, Chris and Robert now know as "Veggie Works Burrito," "Soft Taco," and "Hard Taco" I believe) and hit the bar scene in Bako, which is interesting to say the least. Nothhing particualy note worthy happened, it was just fun . Saturday night Nat and I met Rachel at Cafe Med for drinks and to have a Lust Party (long complicated inside joke). Basically, we all just needed some girl time, talking about boys, etc. Very Sex and the City. We each had a Stockholm 57 which I have decided is the BEST drink ever created. Ever. It's basically a lemon drop (lemon juice and vodka with a sugar rim) and champagne. Lemon, good. Vodka, good. Champagne, good.
After our lust party, we literally kidnapped Gabe, Becca, Rob, and Chris and forced them to go to Dock of the Bay (the new British pub in Bako) with us. At first, it was a little lame, but we are a group that knows how to create our own fun. Pretty soon, the ale was flowing and we were all singing along to CCR. Nice. Ronnie and his friend Monica met us there and upped the entertainment value considerably. Again, pictures to come soon, so keep checking my Pictures page. Some of the highlights from that evening were the unusual British condiments (Salad Cream or Spotted Dick anyone?) and the Great Chapstick-Off 2006 between Nat and Chris. Way too hard to explain. If I can figure it out, there is a fantastic video of the competition.
Anyway, I feel as though I have rambled long enough, so I should try and get some work done on my thesis before Scrubs tonight (Mandy Moore is on! Again, don't judge). Please comment, people, and let me know that you are out there! I am curious as to how many people actually read this blog...
Love and other indoor sports,
Jess
