The Newlywed Game

Obviously I should write about the wedding, which I will. But that requires acquiring pictures and digging deep into my memory from 9 days ago. It's approximately 99 degrees (too hot to think hard) so I'll write about what's at the tip of my mind- the honeymoon!

We went to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The easiest way to describe it- it's the fishing village where Andy Dufraine and whatshisname go to at the end of Shawshank Redemption. To live the good life while drinking beers in the sun.

Some thoughts on Mexico:

1. It is hot. Damn hot. Wearing anything more than a bathing suit or flowing skirt is oppressive. If you go, make sure most of your time is spend poolside.

2. Therefore, I don't know how people work or are productive down there.

3. Zihua is the anti-Cancun. Most visitors are Mexican families just enjoying the beach. People were having the time of their lives, whole families were in the ocean from 7am till 10pm.

4. Mexicans wear entire outfits to swim. I don't know if they forget their bathing suits, or don't own 'em, or just don't care. Personally, wearing a soaking wet button-down and khaki shorts would drive me nuts, but they don't seem to mind. I even saw a guy wearing a baseball cap in addition to his outfit.

5. We saw some really cool birds, and we are not exactly bird fans. From the pool, we watched pelicans hunting; they'd dive-bomb the water, stay under a few seconds, and grab fish. Also, these little birds continually dipped in our pool. Like in Top Gun when the plane touches down on the aircraft carrier then takes off. Not sure if they were cleaning themselves or doing drills or just playing. But it was fun to watch. You can see a bird in this photo:

6. I love a margarita.

7. I love me some guacamole. I never get sick of it.

8. If you go to Zihuatanejo, stay at la Casa que Canta. We couldn't stay there the whole time, cause we couldn't afford it, but it was worth every penny. Every morning I'd call room service and order breakfast: "Hola! Soy Senora Kitzman. Can we have some coffee and huevos rancheros?". Our hostess, Sugey, would set up breakfast on our patio and say "En-yoy it".

9. Dave had a rough time with Mexican food. As he put it "There's a war in my stomach between Mexico and America...and Mexico is winning". The hotel staff went out and bought him Gatorade and Pepto.


10. Mexicans do not prioritize fitness. Instead of water, most people carry around 2 liter bottles of Squirt. I tried using the gym at our second hotel and the "elliptical machine" basically fell apart when I stepped on. Apparently that's not a big problem.

11. The Mexican government oversees waste management and they don't recycle anything. It's really sad, because the only water you can drink there is bottled. So, yeah I threw out a ridiculous amount of bottles. It's like the dark ages.

12. I almost bonked a crocadilla on the head when my golf ball shot into the pond. That was the highlight of my golf game. I suck, even in Latin America.


13. In conclusion, stay at La Casa que Canta, drink lots of margaritas, don't drink the water, rest to temper the hot, hot sun. En-yoy it.

always walk on the sunny side of the street

Okay so pig n' a pod was awesome!! But now we have more important matters on our hands: the WEDDING is upon us. Although I do feel relatively chill for a bride, my mind alternates between looking like this:



And looking like this:



We are both ready for the big day. I was putting together the seating arrangement last night and just go so excited seeing all the names of people who will be there. I'm also looking forward to being whisked away to Mexico after the hulabaloo. Today I invested in that straw hat to ward off the Mexican sun. I have a favorite hat shop downtown. I always feel pretty fly when I walk out of there with a new purchase. Seattle fashion is kinda limited to North Face and Chacos, so a lady in a hat garners a good amount of attention. I also got my ring cleaned today. So between the extra-sparkly diamonds, the shining sun, wearing a dress, and the straw hat, I was walkin around downtown feeling pretty good.

In general, I feel like this:

100 million SPF

The pig n' a pod party is upon us! I work one more day (it's all jean shorts and margaritas) and on Friday, we pack the old station wagon for Methow Valley. I'm looking forward to the change of scenery, although the 90 degree-and-sunny forecast has me a little concerned. Why should I be concerned? My already fair skin has become defenseless since I moved here. I swear I cannot go out in the sun without 45 spf on my lips and multiple coats of 30 on my skin. It's ridiculous. I should invest in a floppy hat. I thought I might hit up the tanning bed before our wedding but after burning to a crisp last weekend, I decided it's better to be pasty white than lobster red. I'll match my dress.

Here's a photo of me and Julie in Methow Valley last winter. Look at that pure joy on my face. Our friend Joseph, who owns property there, took us cross country skiing. Casey had made us BLAT sandwiches (bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato) to take along. I'd told myself I was only going to eat half, but when we got back to the car, I devoured that thing. I can still taste that peppery bacon!

We are going to eat some delicious food this weekend. And I'm glad because you know what? I'm getting damn tired of veggie burgers and English muffins.