Viva Las Vegas

The day after we return from DC, Handsome will fly to go pick up the kids and while we absolutely treasure the small amount of time we get to spend with his fantastic kiddos there is definitely and adjustment period we all go through.

Since our summer will be filled with a lot theme parks and kid related events we decided to take a quick trip to sin city.

This is the living room area of our room at THE Hotel

THE Hotel is adjacent to Mandalay, the colors are very dark

the decor very modern, clean and stunning.

Lady Liberty courtesy of New York, New York

It was a quick visit - one night, two days.

Visiting the newest hotel Aria was a must,

here is the entrance to City Center.

Aria

The front entrance of Aria with beautiful modern water

trickling down a black wall.

From afar it gives the illusion of a grand waterfall.

Every excellent hotel has fresh flowers

Only the Aria has fresh flowers and flowers made of white, milk and dark chocolate

Nicely tiled wall, the line for the buffet

I was mesmerized by this wall, the texture, depth and colors all intriguing.

The light fixtures at the buffet.

You could only imagine what the food looked like - a whole other post

The Gold Lounge

Brass monkeys, how very funky

The newest Cirque show is based at the Aria - A tribute to the King.

While I am not a fan of Elvis, I was drawn to this gift shop

- a mini tribute to Graceland.

From magnets to Elvis and Priscilla Barbie- styled dolls.

Is that not the hottest photo of Elvis ever?

The sorbet shop

The details in this hotel were unbelievable,

there was an open space atop one of the hotel roofs

decorated with these cactus rock beds.

I hit the spa, to take pictures. Love the necklace

The spa lounge/waiting area was decorated with these delicate orchids

I love seeing the use of wood in unique ways, I think they win on this one

These twisted wood supports are such a unique feature, creating an urban forest

I know, I know - it looks like an airport

The gift shop skipped the typical snacks and went total highbrow -

mini, snack sized Dean and Deluca snacks.

While we spent the bulk of our visit at THE Hotel, our room and hotel were so dark that it became a challenge to take any good pictures especially any pictures to do our room justice. It was just so Vegas and over the top - a living room in our hotel room. Two bathrooms in one hotel room - any woman traveling with a man appreciates this feature. Ok, well any woman appreciate this feature.PERIOD.

My Aunt and Uncle from Seattle were in town for business and we were able to meet up for a quick snack before watching a hypnotist show where we were initially selected to be part of the show only to find us deemed - unhynotizable ( like that, I think I just made up that word). The show - absolutely hilarious and very happy to be watching from the audience.

Our quick visit ended with a visit to the Aria hotel, the newest hotel and located at City Center. Stunning interiors, the details were just amazing. The food - wow the food. We decided to go for the buffet which was just amazing - hand rolled sushi, wood fired pizzas, salads placed in little glasses and OH.MY.GOD. THE DESSERTS - WOW. Two of my favorites were the Oreo cookie shooters and snickers ice cream. I could go on, really.

Angels

We went to the Angels game yesterday and had a blast.

The weather was fantastic, it's finally getting warm here - YAY

Our seats were pretty amazing, we were given some free tickets

and welcomed the chance to sit *this close* to the field.

We started off to a rocky start but things turned around

in the 7th inning, resulting in a winning

There's nothing like a bunch of high fives. It was so much fun.

Hard to believe we leave for DC tomorrow, wow - just wow, I am so not ready for this vacation.

I still need to post about LA and Vegas, not sure if it will get done today, lots of prepping to get done and head to my dad's for a BBQ.

*Remember the fallen, remember the Veteran's today and always.*

Bret Michaels

There are few people in life that I find so repulsive that the mere mention of their name causes me to shiver, gag and feel like vomiting. Sadly, BM was the highest- ranking member of this group and then he almost died.

Not being able to take my eyes away from the train wreck that was "Rock of Love" helped further develop of this utter disgust regarding BM. Who could forget the spoof Saturday Night Live did about "Rock of Love" and Amy Poehler, as the slutty, amputee contestant trying to win his heart. If you think it sounds funny, oh are you in for a treat. I searched, tirelessly - well ok, for about 10 minutes on the Internet and couldn't find it. Classic, pure funny and you will pee your pants from laughing - truly a must see.

I still couldn't stand him, but then he appeared on "The Apprentice" and then I began to tolerate him- dare I say, like him? Oh, train wreck with your bandanna, long hair and cowboy hats??? So Jose Eber. TRAIN WRECK.....Absolutely, he was ALL.OVER.THE.MAP. Consistently inconsistent and just a big, freaking -spaz.

Then he almost died and I felt sad (surprisingly, it wasn't about the mean things I said or felt). I am not sure why I felt sad but I did and actually I became concerned for his health and well being. I am gonna blame it on my dad, the whole heart attack, near death experience has humbled me toward men.... I know. Totally weird.

Then I watched him win the season finale and for the love of God - how big of motherflower biotch is Holly Robinson Peete ??? While I wanted her to win because her foundation Hollyrod supports families with children who have Autism I was so relieved and happy that she didn't win because she is just a really big bitch - or at least that is how she was edited to look on the show. I really, honestly hope she is completely different in real life.

Back to BM on the Apprentice finale, he won- I mean HE.WON. The camera panned the audience and focused on an older man wearing a bandanna a la BM and older woman with teased blond hair - his parents. Who looked like their son just gave the commencement speech at Harvard, as valedictorian heading off to Oxford for Graduate school or watching their rock star son win Celebrity Apprentice which might rate as the equivalent....in some alternate universe. Donald Trump hired him, for what- I am unsure of. I think he gets to play celebrity judge next season like Joan Rivers did this season but getting hired by "The Donald" WHOA......

Total street cred... because, being a rock star really isn't enough for me especially with such winning lyrics about roses and thorns.

Tonight I watched BM sing on American Idol and wear a Bob Marley shirt and all I could think of was ROCK ON!!! and wonder when is "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" going to end.

The family photo

This is the largest gathering of McGee's for the year 2010 and probably one of the last photos that will include both my Grandma and Grandpa as both are struggling with their health.

There is so much that I love about this photo -

The way my Grandma is holding the gardenia that my Aunt Kathleen picked for her, up to her nose with a serious expression on her face.

The crazy tie-dye sweatshirt my Aunt Patty is wearing.

My Aunt Mary's beautiful, bright smile and her very sweet nautical themed shirt.

How relaxed my heart-attack having dad looks leaning up against the wall on the far right.

My cousin Garrett wrapped up in a towel after jumping in the pool with my cousin Patrick- I think it might have been a whopping 65 degrees - which is mild winter-esque conditions in Southern California.

My brother trying to look hip with his shades on and how my hand is resting on his shoulder - I have know recollection of doing that, however I love that it happened.

The sweet, innocent gaze of my niece Ella - she is mesmerized with my dad, her Papa.

My Grandpa though he is gritting his teeth with the insurmountable amount of pain, he was able to stand for this entire photo shoot. His body is frail and weak however is mind and tongue are both quick and sharp.

Handsome's smile and flexibility - he is amazing.

I love looking at this family photo, it brings me an amount of happiness that is hard to put into words and makes me miss the other family members (not pictured) - like crazy.

Let me show you my happy place

Around the holidays, when we entertaining kiddos around the clock we decided to get the least expensive Disneyland annual pass. Our return on investment occurred around visit number 3 and while I LOVE the Magic Kingdom I was real close to experiencing burnout shortly after the purchase.

A few weeks ago, Handsome reminded me that it had been a while since we visited the happy place so we picked a Tuesday and headed to Anaheim.

Handsome Jr. doesn't like Pirates of the Carribean so imagine my surprise when I got to see Johnny Depp in the newly renovated Pirates ride

Not once but twice (actually 3 times but my camera was acting weird)

Standing outside the private "Club 33" in the French Quarter

My mom is from the South, she was born in Bilouxi, Mississippi, moved to Topeka, Kansas and then onto San Antonio, Texas before moving to California. The South always reminds me of my mom and the French Quarter always reminds me of the South which brings me great comfort.

When I was a kid, I can remember the bright, beaming smile on my mom's face as we cruised through this special part of Disneyland. The Quarter will always remind me of my mom.

One Beignet, s'il vous plait

I love the attention to detail

Beautiful

The happy people at the happy place

It was about 78 degrees - the weather was perfect!

Tom Sawyer's island is being turned into something else

How realistic does this guy look?

Words, simply, cannot describe how happy we became when we realized that we could go on all of our favorite rides.... this was not one of them.

The beauty of the annual pass is the park hopper feature

so we usually spend a little time at both parks

Handsome's name starts with an "A"

so we had to catch a pic here

I love California Adventure.... my favorite ride is -

Soring over California

The Boudin bread tour is great also but they need to pass out

butter with the bread samples

There are no weeds at the Magic Kingdom

Handsome and I debated on whether this was a Bear or a Wolf.... it's a Bear.

He sits over one of the water rides where we met some really nice Canadians.

This is great... only at Disneyland

And... the day would'nt be complete unless there was a parade

complete with a positive message for everyone

and some bright, multi-colored confetti - shaped like mouse ears.

The weight of the world on my .....butt

Work is rough right now and I know I shouldn't be complaining - I should be counting my blessings to be employed, with amazing benefits, in a highly rewarding job. Truthfully, though it's rewarding - my heart and soul just aren't in it anymore. I want to teach full time, I want to find the *right*school and an inspiring principle. I want to pass the effing CSET so bad that tears well up in my eyes when I think about not passing it and subsequently being stuck in said job that I know I should really just be thankful to have.

Today at work, we learned that while we all LOVE working a four day workweek our furloughs will be ending shortly and be replaced with a four-ten schedule. Initially, this was exciting until I thought deeper and realized with my commute I will be spending 12 hours a day in work related mode. I say work related mode because the majority of my commute is spent either thinking/plotting/brainstorming for current projects and/or making work related phone calls.

Then the broke out the "L" word, layoffs impending. The good news is that I am the one presenting at the layoff meetings so I guess if I am getting a layoff notice I would need to be one of the last ones- right? Who knows.

Things could be much worse, I could have cancer, loose a parent or become homeless but I feel like there are so many pieces of the puzzle that aren't fitting together that at times it feels overwhelmingly uncomfortable, tiring and just plain sucky.

It could be worse... my boss is in the same situation as myself with one big exception. She is a single parent - yep, she wins.

Tomorrow, the Governator announces his cuts to the multiple state programs that so many people depend on and of course education cuts are expected as well. This adding to the stress of making a career change to education - what can I say, my timing is well, impeccable. Don't you think?

So - I sub tomorrow in a high school computer class and who wants to put money down on how many times the kids will tell me that it's ok to log on to facebook..... They think they are so smart.

Things I am happy to look forward to -

• We leave for DC in 3 weeks
• My Aunt and Uncle will be visiting next week from Seattle
• My cousin is getting married in San Luis Obispo in July - ROAD TRIP
• My dad turns 60 in August - ALOT to celebrate and plan
• We will have kids the ENTIRE month of June and August and I can't wait to hold little hands, scrub little feet and feel some giant size love from these amazing kiddos.

Saturday, we head here and I will be pretending that I flew to Europe while I sip some of the best coffee in the world and handsome and I stroll around pretending we are guests at a close friends villa on Lake Como-ish. Pacific ocean kind of view.

Pictures to follow. I promise. Gotta head to bed, I have to report to school at ten minutes till 7:00. In the morning..... Yikes.

Funniest man on the planet

Last night, Handsome and I went and watched the brilliance that is David Sedaris perform at a newly renovated theater in a city close by. To say he is comedic genius is an understatement. I, so, enjoy his witty writings.

Purchasing tickets the day of the even... at 5:50 PM, over the phone, knowing they would close in ten short minutes provided that extra edge I like to have in my day to day life. Walking briskly to will call we excitedly picked up the tickets only to turn directly around and see that our local Public radio station was handing out FREE tickets. We walked over to their concession, explained what we had done and they decided to upgrade our seats to the 2nd row after the orchestra pit which were just amazing seats.

I am not sure if they had announced the free ticket giveaway during a time I wasn't listening or if they sent me an email and it went to the "junk" folder. The lady handing out the tickets could really have cared less about how I *missed* however they announced this ticket giveaway and frankly, I just wanted to get my paws on an upgrade. I gave her the tickets that we had just purchased as a Thank you - I figured it was the least I could do and wanted to repay somehow. Several minutes later, sipping on some Chardonnay, I asked Handsome- Why didn't we call someone, it's still a 1/2 hour before the show. Neither of us had a good answer.

This morning I spoke with my mother who I gave all the details of our fabulous night out and then reminded me that she had nothing to do last night, loves David Sedaris and next time maybe her BOZO daughter should just call her mother. It would have been a great Mother's Day present as well.... What a moron I am.

Washington DC

We leave at the end of the month for DC, it will be our first visit. We will have a total of five days and plan to maximize every minute of the day. This is not a relax on the beach vacation... of course we will need to plan one once we return home.

We have on our list the following:

Brookland/Northeast- US National Arboretum

Cap Hill - Library of Congress and Supreme Court

Downtown - White House *highly unlikely*... we only gave 4 months notice to Sonny Bono's 2nd wife who is also our congressional representative (only in California, where the governor is the TERMINATOR) and the Spy museum

Dupont Circle -National Geographic Museum

Foggy Bottom - Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Other items include....National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian, US Holocaust Memorial Museum,Georgetown University and a visit to NPR with the hopes of meeting Carl Kasell


Have you been? Do you live in DC? What was on your list?