Da roof, da roof, da roof is...

While I was away on vacation, Aaron took time off as well to work on our roof. Our front entryway and the back porch leaked more and more over the years. We finally managed to scrape some money to replace the whole roof. Beautiful! Aaron and Jay did a terrific job in less than two days!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Cleveland, we have takeoff!

Aloha from Lost Wages!

Log... July 20, 2009 5 p.m.

Michael and I had a nice flight over. But you wouldn't guess who we saw at the airport and ended up on our flight? It's one of our favorite Oberlin College professors, and I say that in a sarcastic way... no, not HER but the other one!

The moment we touched down, I was hungry! And I'm really tired. Can you tell I'm on vacation? And I must be a little dehydrated because my stomach's constantly rumbling. Oh no...

I am proud of myself -- it's the first time I'm driving everywhere in the city! Usually my sister Nalani or bro-in-law Ho'e are the taxi drivers. I only got lost once trying to find the grocery store. And I actually drove down the Strip too!

So now we are at the Tahiti Village settling in. The two bedroom condo is fabulous as always. But this time we are overlooking the new lazy river pool instead of the main pool. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow! We are cooking dinner in an effort to save money. I'll take a short nap and a nice hot shower before going out tonight...

The master bedroom fit for a princess... well that's Michael this time!

The new lazy river pool ten floors below us

Putting away the groceries

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Day 1

Log... July 20, 2009 midnight

After we ate a spaghetti dinner, I fell asleep in front of the TV. I needed the nap! I thought I was getting a little sick but it was probably because I didn't sleep much the night before, my head/hair was feeling gross from wetting my hair just before Michael picked me up to go to the airport, and my contacts were so dry from the plane and the hot and cold weather here! I finally managed to get ready and drive us to the Strip for a walk.

An unusual thing happened tonight -- there was thunder, lightning and rain! I'm not sure if it got cooler or more humid...

I managed to find our way to the Luxor.

We walked through and on to the Mandalay Bay.

This is where Michael gambled for the first time. I gave him my lucky $7 to spend gambling. He played the 1¢ Blazing Saddles slot machine outside of the House of Blues, putting in $1 and winning $5.27! Yeah!

After we walked back to the Luxor and through to Excalibur. There I had a sugar craving and ended up buying a Krispy Kreme donut and a hot chocolate. That was a lot of walking tonight! Sadly my back is hurting now. I better take it easy! On our way home, we drove down the Strip again but all the way until the Stratosphere.

One comment... we cannot connect to a wireless connection from the condo! I'll tell you all about it in tomorrow's blog...

What happens in Vegas, is documented on my blog!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Day 2

Log... July 21, 2009 8:00 p.m.

Since I didn't sleep much I decided to take it easy this morning and didn't join Michael at the gym. But I did managed to get up in time to go to the lazy river.

After a much needed nap, we headed to the strip. First stop, Caesar's Palace. We checked out the Roman replicas and interesting shops. We did try our hand at gambling when we found the Big Wheel. Michael played $10 and won $50 -- he even hit the 40-to-1 on the first spin! I played $20 and won $20. Not bad! I think the piano player at the nearby bar and his music inspired the good karma in the air!

Michael, I'm over here!

Hey, it's G... what's King Leonidas doing in Rome?

Riding the curved escalator to the lower level shopping mall, only to discover a chocolate boutique with exotic flavored and organic chocolates!

Next we walked to The Mirage. We stopped for lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen before continuing on in search of white tigers. They didn't have the free show area anymore and found out we have to pay to see them now, shucks!

We headed back and walked through Caesar's toward The Bellagio. Again we window shopped and admired the Italian inspired surroundings. Since it was almost time for the fountain show outside, we stopped for some pistachio gelato before heading out to look for a good spot to stand. Pavarotti didn't disappoint!


At the Conservatory
On our way back home we stopped at Border's in search of an internet connection. We found success next door at Whole Foods. We sipped on iced coffee and a fruit smoothie while catching up with emails and my blog.

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Evening 2

Log... July 21, 2009 midnight

Michael and I ended up staying home tonight instead of taking our evening walk down the strip. But we did go to the gym for a fast workout.

Doing interval running while watching Will and Grace

Kickboxing to Madonna!

Give me 50 more jumping jacks!

Stretch!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Day 3

Log... July 22, 2009 3 p.m.

Lureen is in town! Girls, hide your men! So my brilliant plans to drive and park, and meet my BFFs in the baggage claim was foiled this morning -- Lureen arrived in Terminal 2 instead of the main Terminal 1! Poor girl had to catch a shuttle while we waited for her on the wrong level! But we found met up with her eventually.

After breakfast we headed down to the lazy river.


Can we say "Sexy Momma!!"

Our plans changed in the afternoon when Carrie texted me her flight was delayed. So Michael, Lureen and I packed up our computers and headed to Whole Foods for lunch and some internet time.


What?! Lisa's drinking beer? No, try cream soda!

When we finally got the call from Carrie, we packed up and made it to the airport in record time! We left Michael in the car so the air conditioning could continue running while Lureen and I went to meet Carrie.


While Carrie ate her lunch, our two bartenders pulled out the chilling vodka. We drank Chopin potato and Kai Lychee vodka while playing "name that tune 80's music". Hmmm... I finally have some competition!

It's after 12 p.m., let the alcohol flow!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Evening 3

Log... July 22, 2009 after midnight

So the alcohol kicked in fast and next thing you know we were reminiscing about college and boys and 80's music. Then the 80's music turned into booty music and Lureen demonstrated her "moves"... against the wall, on a chair, across the floor... I wanted a cigarette after.

After the awesome entertainment we all went to our prospective beds and took a long nap. We managed to get up a couple of hours later. Michael treated us girls to a very tasty and healthy Thai chicken stir-fry with spinach, zucchini, carrots and red peppers with steamed rice. A girl can get used to this pampering!

We all took showers and started getting ready to walk the strip.

... including Michael.

Smile!


We found our way to Paris. Michael and I tried our hand at the Big Wheel again and was less lucky tonight. After walking through the casino in 5 minutes we went outside to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower.


A huge lightning and thunder chased us back in! Lureen and I found a bathroom that taught us naughty french conversations like "If my husband calls, I am not here" or "If the pool boy calls, tell him I'm in". When the rain died down we walked over to Planet Hollywood. Michael tried his hand at a Village People slot machine and Lureen tried her favorite Wheel of Fortune. Carrie and I was hungry so we stopped at Daily Planet Cafe. We had calamari (overcooked and finally just right), corned beef with hollidaise sauce and potato skins.

We drove down the strip on our way home. Lureen settled for the night, I downloaded our pictures and worked on the blog while Michael and Carrie went to the gym to do a fast workout. We all promise to go to the gym tomorrow!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Las Vegas 2009: Day 4

Log... July 23, 2009 6 p.m.

Michael, Lureen, Carrie and I went to the gym to work out this morning. Then Lureen and Michael went to the pool while Carrie and I watched a movie.

Time flew by fast or we were moving real slow because before we knew it it was time to pick up Jen at the airport ! By now I should know the directions to the airport with my eyes closed!

Poor Jen! She had no time to go to the condo and freshen up... we went straight to Downtown for some local style grinds at The California.


Lureen, Carrie and Jen had Ocha-Zuke....

I had a mixed plate of fish with tartar sauce, shoyu chicken and teriyaki beef...

...and Michael tried the Korean chicken. Mmmmm! Hawai'ian macaroni salad!



Michael surrounded by local themed slot machines
We walked down Fremont Street, listened to two bands on the stages play the Beatles and the Doors songs, did a bit of shopping and waited for the Fremont Street light show. I was hoping for a new show that I didn't see before and I got my wish. Unfortunately it was quite boring and not the Vegas light spectacular we wanted to see.



So we headed back toward the car. Carrie decided to try a deep fried Twinkies, all 5,000 calories of it! Well Lureen did take a bite.


Us local girls are very happy making the pilgrimage to The California...

... and Michael for having the experience!

Rub da Buddha for good luck!