I just realized that the title of this post can be read two different ways, with visiting as a verb or as a participle. I know, I’m a dork. The new year’s been a busy one so far. After my mid-January trip to LGB to visit Pamela, I had a weekend to chill and then my friend Nathalie came for a visit. She had never been to the SF Bay area, so the touristy thing was in order. I really kinda hate doing touristy things (she knows this), but I tried to be reasonable to a Bay Area newbie. Playing host just kinda stresses me out– having to plan transportation, scheduling, meals, etc… for like five full days. Even when my parents visit, I get stressed taking them places. Luckily since my parents have been to the area three times already, I already developed a list of ideas. But with Nathalie, we had kind of lost touch on and off over the last two years, so even though we were close friends from way back (middle and high school), I just wasn’t sure what she’d be up for. Ahead of her arrival, I sent her the list, and she narrowed down a few items, but unfortunately, when she arrived, her knee had been hurting (she had a bad fall at work followed by surgery last year), so that kind of limited things to do. But it was good reconnecting and catching up. Still, I was really pooped afterwards (I am a true introvert!). Socializing with others exhausts me, even if I’m having fun. I just don’t take well to constant contact (John’s probably the only person I can hang around for longer than a few days without getting too irritable, and even he can only last a few days beyond that… :)).

Anyway, Nathalie and I did a lot in five days… we walked around Monterey, hit up the Gilroy outlets, rode the Roaring Camp train through the redwoods in Santa Cruz, picnicked at a local winery, caught a movie, sang karaoke (twice!), ate some yummy sushi, Thai, cooked at home, and ventured into the SF to ride the cable cars and eat some clam chowder along Fisherman’s Wharf. The bummer of the visit? While in SF, I got lost and made an illegal u-turn. Yup, sucks, especially now that my clean record (since 2003) is marred. I feel like I just ruined my perfect attendance record at school. Oh well, at least no one was injured.

Since the visit, I’ve been getting back up to speed at work and also getting into my latest OCD activity: I’m trying the Tracy Anderson Method. Yup, why not. I’ve always wanted a dancer’s body, so this time, we’ll see what something like that takes. (Damn you, Black Swan. Natalie Portman made me feel like such a sloth!) The Tracy videos are not easy (lots of pain and burning), but I’ve done 2 days and already I can feel a difference (maybe it’s just wishful thinking).

Today I am crazy sore… I think it’s because I did Tracy Anderson Friday night and then kickboxing Saturday morning and trampolining Saturday night? I dunno, everything just hurts. Hopefully today’s day of rest will suffice and tomorrow I’ll be back and ready. Fingers crossed.