Um, Thanks For Your Help

This morning I needed a newspaper so after an unsuccessful walk around the block to see if a neighbor had one I could take I jumped in my car and drove to the nearest gas station. When I walked into the convenience store I didn't see any newspapers by the cash register so I thought I'd ask for help instead of wandering the store myself. (The store wasn't big--I'm just especially lazy these days).
Me: "Do you guys sell newspapers?"
Female Convenience Store Worker: "Newspapers?"
Me: "Yeah."
Female Convenience Store Worker: "I don't even know what those are so probably not."
Me: [Stunned silence]
My first thought would be that she misunderstood what I was asking for, but she repeated the word "newspapers" after me. I know reading the news in print is declining in popularity these days, but come on. I am still so confused.

A Massage Story

This weekend my mom and I got massages at the same time. When we walk out of the dressing room there are two masseuses waiting for us--a middle-aged woman and a young, attractive man. The man says my name and sticks out his hand while introducing himself. There was an awkward pause and the woman says, "I thought I had Kirstin," as if the guy is trying to be sneaky and pull a last minute switch. She wouldn't let it go and they had to go back to the desk and check. Why would she say that? Just to make sure we all feel as uncomfortable as possible right before we de-robe and get a massage?

I ended up with the male masseuse and my mother with the female masseuse (how we both preferred it). My massage was very enjoyable--there was only one slightly awkward exchange:

Masseuse: "I have time for some stomach work if you'd like."

Me: "Alright."

Masseuse: [As he holds up a hand towel] "I usually use a breast drape."

Me: "OK."

Masseuse: "So wold you like one?"

Me: "Yeeeah." [Let's keep those covered up.]

Masseuse: "I guess I shouldn't say usually--I always use a breast drape."

Me: [If you always use one then why on earth would you ask if I wanted one?]

I LOVE Staying at Hotels

For most of the past week my mom had a work event at the Zermatt resort in Midway, Utah. I accompanied her so that at least two of the three beds in our suite would be occupied. I didn't have to work at all but still got to enjoy the perks such as free meals, treats delivered to the room each night, and even a free massage.

I can go to the pool three times a day if I want, someone else makes my bed and cleans up after me, there are a variety of dining options without ever leaving the premises--what's not to love?

This accordion-playing bear greets you at the main entrance. All of Midway has a "Swiss village" theme going on. I love a good theme, but I think the Zermatt overdoes it a little.

The hotel room had some amazing artwork. This piece was most definitely my favorite.

Boating

It's already July and this past weekend I went boating for the first time this summer. Luckily it was a perfect day to be out on the water, which helped make up for the late start to the season.

I decided to give wake surfing its annual try and to my surprise I actually got up! (After several tries of course). This was the first time I got up on any water toy for more than 5 seconds and it made me really happy. Now I understand why people think it's fun.

What a Mess!

This morning when I woke up I heard running water in the living room so I went to investigate and found that half of the basement floor was covered in standing water and more was pouring in through the window. Once again I was reminded that I am completely useless in emergency situations. After running around and making some phone calls I accomplished nothing more than getting my pijamas soaking wet. Here I am in outfit #2 for the day showing the level of water in the window sill. I woke up Julia and she had the presence of mind to call some people that could actually come help with the problem. The sprinklers didn't shut off this morning so after hours of watering the lawn it filled up the window and leaked inside. If only I had kept with my self-imposed summer wake-up time this problem would have been taken care of much sooner. I don't want to say what time I actually got up and noticed the flooding--I'll just say we were no longer in the single digits.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city in southern Argentina. It's the southernmost city in the world in fact. It's situated between a bay and the Andes Mountains.
Here I am on a boat cruise around the Beagle Channel.

I got to see sea lions.

And a lighthouse!

Here is the port at night.

This is a charming little tea house that overlooks the valley.

I went on an off-roading trip through the mountains.

We drove along the shore of a lake hidden in the mountains.

Ushuaia started as a penal colony. Here I am at the old prison, now a museum.

Iguazu Falls

I spent a day visiting the Argentine side of Iguazu National Park. (The waterfalls straddle the Argentina-Brazil border). They were spectacular.
I went on a boat ride right up to the bottom of the falls.

Who's ready to get wet? Unfortunately there were no dry boat ride options--I asked.

They had walkways over the river so you can walk right up to the edge of the falls.

Here's a view from the top.

Haha--he wants my lunch. So cute and funny! Don't worry though, this little guy had the last laugh.

At least some of the wild life was peaceful.