December 2008 » Page 7 of 12

On the Occassion of my 35th Birthday

December 14, 2008 • By Kelly Glynn

This will be my last blog until next Tuesday unless I happen to find the Internet somewhere in the wilderness.

Today, I faced one of my biggest fears which is heights and semi-conquered it. Jill and I went canopying which means we trucked up to some place high in the canopy of trees and spent the next two and a half hours harnessed into locks and slidding down wires amongst the trees. On my very first go at it I got stuck half way and stranded above a gorge of 9o feet I had to turn myself around and walk my hands down the rope to the finish point. Let’s just say I shed a few tears and we have the DVD to prove it. Did I mention it started to rain into the 7th slide. I was not happy.

On the very special occassion of my birthday on December 16th, I thought I would give you a look back at my life.

December 16, 1973 – present

I’ve been an only child and a big sister (poor Patrick)

A daughter and granddaughter; a niece and great niece and a Goddaughter and cousin

A straight A student and a failure at geometry

I’ve stolen a deck of cards once and blamed it on my brother

I’ve been scared

I’ve been wrong but most of the time right

I’ve been in love and had my heart broken

I’ve been to 6 continents and countless countries

I’ve been fired

I’ve been alone

I’ve been successful professionally and personally

I’ve lived in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Washington DC and New York

I’ve laughed and I’ve cried

I’ve met amazing people who are my dear friends from all over the globe

I’ve had triumphs

I’ve tried seafood and learned to actually like it

I’ve completed canyoning in Switzerland (now illegal) and I’ve done canopying in South Africa(which might be illegal when I am done)

I’ve opened my mind to new cultures and different people

I’ve lost loved ones

I’ve pretended not to care to have been hurt

I’ve changed my hair color to blond and they are way more fun than redheads

I’ve had freckles and I’ve shown age but more or less gained wisdom

AND

at 35 I look back and say I have no regrets. I am happy. I live my life for me and for all of you who are my support and the inspiration in my life. I am thankful to have had the opportunities I have had in life and I know that I have my parents and family and friends on my side.

I wish I could be with you all but until then CHEERS! Happy Birthday to ME!

Africa, Destinations

Plettenberg Bay

December 13, 2008 • By Kelly Glynn

Have spent the last 3 nights in Plett Bay nestled in a corner of the Western Cape where the Indian Ocean meets the world. Yesterday, we did some of the local activities and wow did we (me and Jill) learn the hard way that the American standards of hiking might not be the South African. Bottom line: when the book says strenuous hike you should maybe listen to it. We found ourselves on a beautiful nature walk where we hiked down first to a gorge and then flat for a bit before having to climb and I do mean climb up the side of a mountain. This would be one of the first examples of why you see people actually using the stair climbers at a gym. They are in training or want to have a really nice gluteous maximus. After sweat and tears, we arrived to the monkey reserve. The monkeys came right up to us. They are a curious creature.

We dined with our hotel guests in a 12 person dinner table where we had 4 courses and some of the best conversations. Of course, Jill and I not ones to keep quiet entertained the table with our tales of politics in the States. To our surprise, we had a very powerful South African couple at our table—-A former Archbishop and number one to Desmund Tutu and his wife a prominent doctor who lived in DC and worked for the World Bank. It was a lively conversation to say the least. We had Richard and Yasmine from Nottingham call us “Muffins” which is apparently some derogatory term in a movie where young women work in politics. While we found it hysterical, he must have felt guilty because at breakfast he apologized and blamed it on his red red wine. See we all like to blame out mishaps on a rough night of drinking. Another couple was from the Netherlands and left their 3 year old daughter home before their second child is born in March. They were delightful. Lastly, Nigel and Andi told us all their stories about their children and travels. A good time was had by all.

Lastly, Jill and I had been planning to do laundry today since we leave for Safari Monday. To our dismay, laundry services are closed on the weekends. I’ve only been in South Africa for 10 days and I already had to handwash my clothing. ICK! Jill told me to aggistate my clothes which I took to mean rough up and scrub. She was a bit concerned for my well being watching me. I tried telling her it’s an Irish thing. We aren’t patient….so I found it easier to beat the shit out of my clothes instead of letting them sit and soak. Don’t worry my clean underwear is drying on a towel in front of our very expensive hotel room for all the guests to enjoy.

I’ll have one last blog tomorrow which is in celebration of my BIRTHDAY on Tuesday since I will be without the computer for a week. Can you imagine? I can’t so please don’t remind me.