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just me. my current interests and stories for the interwebs.
“I think they have all the ingredients for the games,” said Timothy Fok, an ANOC executive and International Olympic Committee member. “Not only the sun and sand, they live the games.”
The event, scheduled for 2017, is expected to feature about 20 sports, including triathlon, skateboarding, surfing, jet skiing, as well beach versions of soccer, track and football.
No better place to host than "America's Finest City!"
Since the recent onslaught of Amazon's (and yes, Barnes and Nobles) inexpensive e-readers, e-book sales have exploded overtaking print sales. Over the past year, I find myself in constant dilemma about whether or not I'm ready to go full electronic. I still like the idea of a bookshelf displaying my collection and the physical sharing aspects of a hardback.
This artfully produced video by Salon Alpin depicts how beautiful page surfing really is. Of course, this only adds to my dilemma which I can assume I share with many others. Have you gone full electronic?
After a few weeks of postponement, I hopped on an American Airlines 737 aircraft from ATL to MIA, arrived and satisfied my breakfast hunger with Cuban sandwich along with Cuban coffee. After being delayed for 2 hours for mechanical issues, I finally took off to MGA in an American Airlines 767 (paid $80 for my ZED fare because I cannot jumpseat on American Airlines internationally unlike other domestic carriers), rode a KIA branded taxi for 1.5 hours and arrived at Los Cardones. Granted this was another solo adventure but the purpose was to scout out the place and more importantly hang out with great company.
A few weeks back, I recently found out that one of my high school gal-friends, took up a 6 month gig to work as managers for the "resort." Whatever the cost, I had to go visit and hang out. As most of you may know (or not know), I'm always down for anything. Upon arriving at the resort dressed inappropriately in business attire, I was greeted by her, taken to my cabana and changed. I was steaming and my wool pants had to come off!
Thoughts of picking up a surfboard and hitting the beach right away were lingering especially after watching Chris hit the waves, but I was feeling more of a mellow tone. After a while, I decided that it was going to be just a day of rest. The night simply concluded with a wonderfully prepared dinner by Adam and chatter of what the next morning would bring. It was a long day for me and this is exactly what I needed.
Through the next few days, I would eat 3 meals a day which were prepared VERY well, surf in the morning then just hang out the rest of the day. I didn't do that much except for the random hike around the facility, sleep in an awesome hammock for a few hours, talk it up with friends and just pass the time. It's been a while since I actually got to feel the second hand tick as the minutes at the resort lagged on by. Being "unplugged" was a great feeling, but sometimes I felt like I was missing things. Time was therefore just standing still at certain times but it was a good thing.
Some of you may not realize, but I've been minimal-izing my life as of late. Coming down from an awesome high, I'm loving it more and more. Sometimes I'm tempted here and there, but simplicity and happiness is where it's at. This vacation made me realize it once again that with an ocean, good friends and food, life can be truly gratifying.
Videos and more pictures after the jump!
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I uploaded little tours of the resort to my youtube account: http://www.youtube.com/enicolas and you can watch the videos there or right here down below! The first one is of the resort and the second is of my living quarters. Check them out and leave a comment here or on my youtube page!
In the next few months, I will be slowly transitioning to being more of a commuter and force myself to always fly home no matter what. In other words, even if I have two days off, I will be flying back home to San Diego. You see, the lease on our awesome Loxford Lounge Crashpad is due this up and coming February which leaves just under 7 months to slowly move. Being that I haven't been around lately, doesn't really leave me that much time to pack up and go. As long as I make it a habit to pack at least one box a week or month, I'll be all moved out by year's end making my reliance on the crashpad wither down to zilch.
It is hard though now that I have been doing it a lot lately, but it really just takes will power. I'm now able to concentrate on coming home since the fact my parents moved back to San Diego which cuts the drive home by almost 75% and is a lot more convenient all together.
I was able to catch a flight on Delta Mainline this evening which is actually a rarity since I have been using the competition due to their availability. Delta has always been full to and from Atlanta so my dependency has risen on Airtran thus enabling my frequent trips back home.
The necessity for a crashpad in Atlanta would be only for the days that I am stuck in ATL due to weather or the times when I have training, but I guess that doesn't amount to more than what I would ben spending a year of keeping a place within the airport limits.
I'm going to do it! I really am and I feel more confident than ever because of my desire to surf a lot more and just swim and get more physically fit. I have till end of the year to really achieve what I have been aiming for and that is normalcy.
