back from mexico!
we had such a fun, relaxing trip--it was even better this year than it was last year!!!!
we arrived friday around 6:00 pm, we unpacked, took a walk on the beach, and watched the sunset as we made burgers and hotdogs and a million other snacky type foods. after we ate, we played some games and competed for the master bedroom. the place has 3 bedrooms and we trade rooms each night, just so everything is even. plus, everyone wants the master bedroom with the huge bed! so matt and i won first choice and we chose the last night--save the best for last, eh?
anyhoo, i was up the balcony, watching the ocean, when i thought, "hm. the waves look like they're just glowing in the moonlight." then i realized the moon wasn't out--it was totally overcast. so i yelled down to our friend suzanne, a scientist who first told us about "bioluminescence"--she came up and confirmed that it was so. we all went tearing down to the ocean (tide was pretty low) to get a closer look!
mini science lesson here: a red tide happens when a certain type of plankton (or red algae) blooms out of control. during the day, it makes the ocean look brownish red. at night, when the plankton are agitated by the crashing waves, they illuminate and glow a light, bright blue.
it was AMAZING! i have never in my life seen anything like it! we didn't know how long it would last, so we all dropped trou (not entirely, mind you!) and went running into the ocean, glowing as we swam! you could put your hands in the water, lift them out and see teeny tiny glowing bits sparkling on your hands before they went out. when we swam, our hands and feet especially (most movement there, i assume) glowed. in some places where the algae was thick (but microscopic and teeny, so it didn't feel like much), we all just stood and the whole area around us lit up--it illuminated enough to see teeny fish swimming around as well. it was absolutely magical.
definitely one of the best moments of my life.
the rest of the weekend included laying out in the perfect warm weather, reading magazines, chatting, laughing so hard, taking walks (and one run) on the beach, eating and eating and more eating! the most perfect thing was that there was NOTHING we had to do. nothing on a list, no errands to run, no phone to answer--nada!
and now we're home, where our bodies went into shock at the amount of work there is to do back here. what? i'm still on vacation in my head!! but there are only 13 days left of school. yay! and then aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
oh yeah!
congratulations to kevin and emily, on your new home!!!!! how exciting!!! i can't wait to see it--it sounds so cute and fun! by the way, we did get your moving announcement--so clever! and mare and casey, congratulations on your job in houston, AK--and have fun house hunting!!!
welp, i'm outie!
and sleepy.
and i'm listening to the new oasis album, which is solid.
byebye