Surfin' Safari

Like my dad, I have a habit of getting sick when traveling. This trip is no different. On the flight out yesterday, I felt a cold coming on. By last night, it had fully manifested and I was all stuffed up. We also had an extra gal in our room last night who I had to share my bed with. We didn't go to bed until after 1 a.m. and I did not sleep well. When 5. a.m. rolled around, I couldn't fall asleep anymore. I got up, showered, and headed to the local CVS. Without thinking, I threw on a pair of regular shoes with no socks and had busted open blisters (or blizzards, as my nephew says) by the time I got to CVS. So along with the Dayquil and Excedrin, I got some Band-Aids. After a great breakfast at Buster's Beach House, I was ready for the day. And the event of the day? Surfing!

With my friend's daughter, it was time to surf at Pacific Beach. We took lessons from Pacific Beach Surf School. I cannot speak highly enough of this establishment. The instructors and other employees were extremely helpful and friendly. The owner, Randy, was kind enough to match a competitors coupon and thus our lessons were half price. If you are ever in the San Diego area and want to surf, rent a bike, rent a chair, or anything else, go to the Pacific Beach Surf School.

As for the surfing, it was EXHAUSTING! I knew it would be difficult especially with challenges related to all forms of coordination. I did not expect, however, that it would be so physically exhausting. Getting the board out to the area of the water of appropriate depth while getting pounded by the waves. It turns out that carrying a giant foam board against a current repeatedly for an hour and a half takes a fair amount of energy.

So, am I a surfer now? Hell no. I do feel like after a few more lessons in the future, I can get a better handle on it. On my second to last try though, I was able to get up, stay balanced, and ride the wave into the sand. Success!

I didn't have time to blog last night so . . .

Yesterday after arriving, I took a cab to our hotel, the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Grand it is. It is a very nice hotel and directly on the harbor. After checking in, I went to the local Seaport Village and enjoyed a fish taco and a margarita. I then did a little walking around and decided to take the ferry across the harbor to the peninsula of Coronado. My mission was to try on a pair of Five Finger shoes that are stocked at Island Birkenstock. These shoes are somewhat difficult to find and I've heard great things about them. These shoes look goofy but are supposed to be extremely comfortable. After trying them on, I decided they looked too much like swim socks to spend $75 on them. The walk around the peninsula and it's beaches was nice and by the end of the day, I walked three hours.

Tomorrow we begin our meetings. We have a 7 a.m. morning meeting with all the people from Indiana and then I may attend a town hall meeting with Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.