We've accomplished a lot this week:
1. We've gotten all of the testing forms for the required tests that are needed for the consult in Budapest.
2. I've sent current results to our coordinator and had another set of tests this afternoon.
3. We've booked our flights.
4. I've arranged our acupunture apointments leading up to the trip.
5. Our Budapest hotel is booked for June 17 & 18.
6. Our London hotel is booked for June 19-22.
7. I've gotten tickets for the matinee performance of 'War Horse' on June 19.
8. We're going to Kew Gardens with friends on June 20th.
9. We're making plans with friends for the evening of June 19.... we know which restaurant that we plan to go to though.
10. We've decided what we want to do on my birthday on June 21.
Unfortunately, with all of the to-do lists, emails and confirmations, I messed up a simple theatre booking this afternoon. We've decided to see Dirty Dancing on my birthday night so I decided to go through Ticket.Master. It was an easy booking as I got to use the interactive seat choice feature. I paid for everything and then when I printed out the receipt I realised that I booked the tickets for June 22! Damn! Customer service was closed and it looks like I'll have to sell the tickets to friends and buy another set for the 21st.... Double Damn!
Anyway, our trip is booked and I can't wait to go!!!
07 May 2010
04 May 2010
I could have been a travel agent...
I love planning vacations. I love choosing the location, reviewing all of the options, looking for special things to do, pre-paying as much as possible. Then came last year and I failed miserably at planning the trip to CZ. Sure, we got the flights and cars sorted but I planned nothing for when we got there - and neither did Aidan. We sorta did things when we had to and even then we had to push ourselves. I can blame stress for our careless planning job but thankfully, everything fell into place and we did have a great time (with great pictures to remind us of our adventure).
This year we're starting out a bit more organized since we know what we're facing. We're also loving this concept of the coordinator and are using this resource more than we did last year. We heard back from our coordinator this morning, who thanked us for my pap and hsg results and gave us lots of info on the consult schedule. So basically, we need to get to Budapest on June 17th. We'll be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel by our guide who is assigned to us for the trip. The hotel has been booked so our room is already set! We'll have breakfast in the morning and then our guide will pick us up and take us to the clinic for our 10am appointment. The visit might not be as long as some since we will have done most of our tests up front. We'll then purchase our drugs for the identified protocol and then our guide will take us on a city tour. The day will be rounded out with a visit to the apartment building near the clinic that they encourage patients to stay (complete with kitchenette, etc.). If we fly to London on the 18th, they can get us to the airport by 5 or 6pm. If we stay overnight, we'll fly out early in the morning. Either way, our guide will take us to the airport. We're contemplating staying overnight because it's cheaper than an extra night in London... no decisions yet. If we do, I need to start looking for good restaurants in the area!
So I am hoping to redeem my travel agent dream self with the help of my IVF coordinator in London and my on-the-ground guide in Budapest. Sure, having a consult is like a run-through as well. I would guess that the 10-14 days that we'd then spend in Budapest in September will end up with us getting out of the city.... I am already planning on getting into Austria (I'm addicted). As fror London, you know my ideas from yesterday's post. I plan to start booking that once Aidan has purchased the airfare. That said, we're still hoping for a minor miracle so we can replace our September ideas with solid plans for Ireland...
This year we're starting out a bit more organized since we know what we're facing. We're also loving this concept of the coordinator and are using this resource more than we did last year. We heard back from our coordinator this morning, who thanked us for my pap and hsg results and gave us lots of info on the consult schedule. So basically, we need to get to Budapest on June 17th. We'll be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel by our guide who is assigned to us for the trip. The hotel has been booked so our room is already set! We'll have breakfast in the morning and then our guide will pick us up and take us to the clinic for our 10am appointment. The visit might not be as long as some since we will have done most of our tests up front. We'll then purchase our drugs for the identified protocol and then our guide will take us on a city tour. The day will be rounded out with a visit to the apartment building near the clinic that they encourage patients to stay (complete with kitchenette, etc.). If we fly to London on the 18th, they can get us to the airport by 5 or 6pm. If we stay overnight, we'll fly out early in the morning. Either way, our guide will take us to the airport. We're contemplating staying overnight because it's cheaper than an extra night in London... no decisions yet. If we do, I need to start looking for good restaurants in the area!
So I am hoping to redeem my travel agent dream self with the help of my IVF coordinator in London and my on-the-ground guide in Budapest. Sure, having a consult is like a run-through as well. I would guess that the 10-14 days that we'd then spend in Budapest in September will end up with us getting out of the city.... I am already planning on getting into Austria (I'm addicted). As fror London, you know my ideas from yesterday's post. I plan to start booking that once Aidan has purchased the airfare. That said, we're still hoping for a minor miracle so we can replace our September ideas with solid plans for Ireland...
03 May 2010
Preparing for June!
Yes, we've started to get ready for June. We're in the midst of booking our 'first visit package' We're going to stay at the Hotel Central Basicila - right in the city center. We've been to Budapest before but we didn't stay in a hotel (we boarded our river cruise and slept on the ship) but we did go shopping, do some sightseeing and ate at a sidewalk cafe when we were there. We will only be in Budapest for one or two nights. Included in our package is the consult, the hotel (2 nights, with breakfast and free internet), transportation (airport transfers and clinic transfers) and a city tour. We'll have to pay for the drugs for the cycle separately. Hopefully, Budapest will be the whirlwind experience that it is looking like on paper.
We're also working with our doctor to pull together all of the required tests for the consultation. I had two of the tests in March (I scanned those and sent them to the coordinator by email today) and will do all of the other tests over the next 3 weeks or so. DH will be doing his tests as well. Next we'll need to book our flights to London and then to Budapest.
We'll also be spending a few days in London to celebrate my birthday. At this point, we'll be in London for 3 nights (4 if we only do one night in Budapest). I've already started exploring the musicals that are on in the West End, have been campaigning for peonies for my b-day and have had amazing daydreams about visiting my favorite restaurants. We've also discussed trips to Kew Gardens (I've never been there in a warmer weather month - always October or November) and Hampton Court (I've been trying to get there since 2001). I am truly hoping for a relaxing break.... we need a mini-vacation!
We're also working with our doctor to pull together all of the required tests for the consultation. I had two of the tests in March (I scanned those and sent them to the coordinator by email today) and will do all of the other tests over the next 3 weeks or so. DH will be doing his tests as well. Next we'll need to book our flights to London and then to Budapest.
We'll also be spending a few days in London to celebrate my birthday. At this point, we'll be in London for 3 nights (4 if we only do one night in Budapest). I've already started exploring the musicals that are on in the West End, have been campaigning for peonies for my b-day and have had amazing daydreams about visiting my favorite restaurants. We've also discussed trips to Kew Gardens (I've never been there in a warmer weather month - always October or November) and Hampton Court (I've been trying to get there since 2001). I am truly hoping for a relaxing break.... we need a mini-vacation!
29 April 2010
Pretty cool...
We've been using the ov.watch this month. I decided to use it because I wasn't in the mood to take my BBT or POAs this time around. It took Aidan a bit of time to set up the watch. The instructions were straightforward but he didn't set the time correctly so it ended up one day behind my actual cycle day.
So basically, I had to put the watch on before I went to bed and wear it for at least 6 hours straight. If I showered before hand, I had to wait an hour before I put it on. Strangely enough, it was kind of weird to wear a watch to be (I generally don't) and the first few nights I found it uncomfortable due to that. Anyhow, I got my 'Fertile Day 1' reading on cycle day 12 and my 'Ov Day 1' reading on cycle day 16 (I'm usually 14 or 15), so I was a bit surprised. I now am keeping an eye on my LP to ensure it will be the proper length!
So, we're pretty happy with the ov.watch. It has been easy to use and seems to have reported the info well. It would be nice to have a happy ending to the cycle as well..... :)
So basically, I had to put the watch on before I went to bed and wear it for at least 6 hours straight. If I showered before hand, I had to wait an hour before I put it on. Strangely enough, it was kind of weird to wear a watch to be (I generally don't) and the first few nights I found it uncomfortable due to that. Anyhow, I got my 'Fertile Day 1' reading on cycle day 12 and my 'Ov Day 1' reading on cycle day 16 (I'm usually 14 or 15), so I was a bit surprised. I now am keeping an eye on my LP to ensure it will be the proper length!
So, we're pretty happy with the ov.watch. It has been easy to use and seems to have reported the info well. It would be nice to have a happy ending to the cycle as well..... :)
26 April 2010
Exam Results
I received my exam results on Saturday and today. The first set of results were for jig. We've only been doing jig for a few months and had practiced in the shoes 4 times before the exams. We were all nervous about this exam and during the mock exams we all choked to some extent. The actual exam was much better. For the pre-bronze jig, with a result continuum of pass, pass plus, commended, commended plus and highly commended, I scored.... commended plus! I was so shocked. I have a lot to work on but I am grateful that the work that I did on the dance at home resulted in a good result.
As for the Gold Highland exam, I scored a commended. I knew this one would be harder to do well and on the day my Seann Truibhas sucked. The comments didn't surprise me and I know I have made a lot of progress in these core dances. As for the Gold Scottish National exam.... highly commended!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was so stunned! We weren't even graded for this exam for our mock exam because we did not know one of the three dances at that point. Since we worked so much on these dances during the time between the mock and actual exams, our teacher believes it may have made our highland dancing suffer in the Gold Highland exam. I am just so grateful. Yes, I do have things to work on but I am feeling so much better about those dances! And I really do like the new one that we learned for the exam.
As for the Associates exam - my teacher's exam - I passed and my paperwork is being mailed to Scotland tomorrow. I found out that I passed on the night of the exam (I posted that shortly thereafter). I cried - I was so overwhelmed because the whole process was insane. I am grateful that I was able to dance because if I couldn't (as was a possibility after surgery) I would have had to explain a lot more in the exam. The exam took about 1.5 hours and I was a mess during a good part of it. Trying to calm myself down in order to speak was difficult. Thankfully, I used the method of demonstrate, count and describe when asked a question. I could usually calm down during the demonstrate part. In the end, I had to perform a dance - one I had learned on the Saturday before the exam,. Thankfully, I didn't forget most of it. I screwed up one step but the rest was ok.
So now that I am a teacher, I cannot take the medal tests anymore. I am planning to do my member's exam in 1-2 years and then I may pursue the Scottish National Associate exam after that. And I am happy to say that our students did well. All passed, most at the commended level!!!
As for the Gold Highland exam, I scored a commended. I knew this one would be harder to do well and on the day my Seann Truibhas sucked. The comments didn't surprise me and I know I have made a lot of progress in these core dances. As for the Gold Scottish National exam.... highly commended!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was so stunned! We weren't even graded for this exam for our mock exam because we did not know one of the three dances at that point. Since we worked so much on these dances during the time between the mock and actual exams, our teacher believes it may have made our highland dancing suffer in the Gold Highland exam. I am just so grateful. Yes, I do have things to work on but I am feeling so much better about those dances! And I really do like the new one that we learned for the exam.
As for the Associates exam - my teacher's exam - I passed and my paperwork is being mailed to Scotland tomorrow. I found out that I passed on the night of the exam (I posted that shortly thereafter). I cried - I was so overwhelmed because the whole process was insane. I am grateful that I was able to dance because if I couldn't (as was a possibility after surgery) I would have had to explain a lot more in the exam. The exam took about 1.5 hours and I was a mess during a good part of it. Trying to calm myself down in order to speak was difficult. Thankfully, I used the method of demonstrate, count and describe when asked a question. I could usually calm down during the demonstrate part. In the end, I had to perform a dance - one I had learned on the Saturday before the exam,. Thankfully, I didn't forget most of it. I screwed up one step but the rest was ok.
So now that I am a teacher, I cannot take the medal tests anymore. I am planning to do my member's exam in 1-2 years and then I may pursue the Scottish National Associate exam after that. And I am happy to say that our students did well. All passed, most at the commended level!!!
21 April 2010
ICLW - April 2010
HAPPY ICLW!!!!!
Last month I did the ABC's of Me. This month, since our IF history is summarized on the side, I thought I'd do '10 Odd Facts about me'. Enjoy!
Fact 1: When I was in college and they asked my racial background, I needed a 'mutt' category (I had to select other). Culturally, I have English, Welsh, Scottish, St. Kitts, Portugese, Native American and some sort of Asian heritage. I carry Bermudian and British passports.
Fact 2: I grew from 5'4" to 5'9" between my 14th and 15th birthdays. I am currently 5'11" and would love my chiropractor to give me that last inch to make me 6'.
Fact 3: When Gene Kelly died, I was in my senior year in college in Atlanta. I was so distraught that my dad had to calm me down via the telephone. He then told me to go to Best Buys and purchase all of the Gene Kelly movies that I didn't have (he'd pay the credit card charges) and watch the movies to celebrate this life. I did just that!
Fact 4: When Frank Sinatra died a few years later, I did the musical/movie tribute for him as well. My dad didn't pay for this one, and didn't have to console me over the phone. I now have a greater appreciation for Frank Sinatra.
Fact 5: My favorite name as a kid was 'Artemis'. This was due to my dad reading greek and roman mythology to us as bedtime stories. I have since named my insane white cat 'Artemis'. She is a true hunter.... pretty cool that we got it right!
Fact 6: I have a line item in my monthly budget to purchase items via Amazon and eBay....
Fact 7: When I was 16 I had a debutante's ball. I pinned my glove to my dad's lapel when I had to put the flower on him.
Fact 8: I was the youngest person in my MBA graduating year. I was also the youngest person in my doctoral cohort for the first 3 years of the programme (and managed to hold a 3.9 GPA...) - I'm ABD (all but dissertation) for the doctorate currently...
Fact 9: I was at the Civil Service College in Sunningdale, Ascot, UK when the events of Sept 11th took place. I had to fly back to Bermuda on Sept 14th and got to see a tank inside of Gatwick Airport. A few months later I ended up in therapy for PTSD. Ever since I have had no problem going to see a therapist when life gets a bit too overwhelming.
Fact 10: I used to be able to name Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes within the first 5 seconds of the preview (before the titles). I am a bit rusty today.... However, I still know most of the dialogue for Star Wars Episodes IV, V and VI, Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris and Sound of Music.
Last month I did the ABC's of Me. This month, since our IF history is summarized on the side, I thought I'd do '10 Odd Facts about me'. Enjoy!
Fact 1: When I was in college and they asked my racial background, I needed a 'mutt' category (I had to select other). Culturally, I have English, Welsh, Scottish, St. Kitts, Portugese, Native American and some sort of Asian heritage. I carry Bermudian and British passports.
Fact 2: I grew from 5'4" to 5'9" between my 14th and 15th birthdays. I am currently 5'11" and would love my chiropractor to give me that last inch to make me 6'.
Fact 3: When Gene Kelly died, I was in my senior year in college in Atlanta. I was so distraught that my dad had to calm me down via the telephone. He then told me to go to Best Buys and purchase all of the Gene Kelly movies that I didn't have (he'd pay the credit card charges) and watch the movies to celebrate this life. I did just that!
Fact 4: When Frank Sinatra died a few years later, I did the musical/movie tribute for him as well. My dad didn't pay for this one, and didn't have to console me over the phone. I now have a greater appreciation for Frank Sinatra.
Fact 5: My favorite name as a kid was 'Artemis'. This was due to my dad reading greek and roman mythology to us as bedtime stories. I have since named my insane white cat 'Artemis'. She is a true hunter.... pretty cool that we got it right!
Fact 6: I have a line item in my monthly budget to purchase items via Amazon and eBay....
Fact 7: When I was 16 I had a debutante's ball. I pinned my glove to my dad's lapel when I had to put the flower on him.
Fact 8: I was the youngest person in my MBA graduating year. I was also the youngest person in my doctoral cohort for the first 3 years of the programme (and managed to hold a 3.9 GPA...) - I'm ABD (all but dissertation) for the doctorate currently...
Fact 9: I was at the Civil Service College in Sunningdale, Ascot, UK when the events of Sept 11th took place. I had to fly back to Bermuda on Sept 14th and got to see a tank inside of Gatwick Airport. A few months later I ended up in therapy for PTSD. Ever since I have had no problem going to see a therapist when life gets a bit too overwhelming.
Fact 10: I used to be able to name Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes within the first 5 seconds of the preview (before the titles). I am a bit rusty today.... However, I still know most of the dialogue for Star Wars Episodes IV, V and VI, Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris and Sound of Music.
18 April 2010
The Braces Bunch Anniversary!!!!!
Lat year I was going a bit nuts. I was preparing for IVF overseas, hadn't really told anyone in real life and was getting into the blog thing for some sanity while I had to get on with the rest of my life. I was an avid follower of JJ's blog and had read about The Braces Bunch. I thought it was a great concept but did not think that I would ever be a part of the network. Then, one day I received an email from JJ saying that the Braces Bunch was accepting new members. I immediately sent an email sending my interest in joining.
All I can say is that the Braces Bunch have been life savers for me. Before the IVF cycle in the Czech Republic last year, I received so many cards wishing us luck. I took all of them with me and during my 3 weeks cycling overseas, I looked at these wonderful cards daily as I had put them up all over our studio apartment to help us feel at home. I never could have imagined how these cards would be such a great help. I LOVE all of the Braces Bunchers for that!!!
Lately, I've been crazed due to non-IF activities. I have to catch up on my snail mail but the Braces Bunchers have keep my blog and twitter hopping, sending me well wishes and kind words as I prepared for my Highland Dancing exams. Again, I am so grateful for all of these wonderful ladies.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BRACES BUNCH!!!!!!
All I can say is that the Braces Bunch have been life savers for me. Before the IVF cycle in the Czech Republic last year, I received so many cards wishing us luck. I took all of them with me and during my 3 weeks cycling overseas, I looked at these wonderful cards daily as I had put them up all over our studio apartment to help us feel at home. I never could have imagined how these cards would be such a great help. I LOVE all of the Braces Bunchers for that!!!
Lately, I've been crazed due to non-IF activities. I have to catch up on my snail mail but the Braces Bunchers have keep my blog and twitter hopping, sending me well wishes and kind words as I prepared for my Highland Dancing exams. Again, I am so grateful for all of these wonderful ladies.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BRACES BUNCH!!!!!!
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