VIVA 4 days...

and counting!!  The mental preparation for a 6-night AI trip is pretty minimal.  We are psyched that friends will be joining us, and excited to meet any other fun people who are at the resort when we are (that's one of the more fun things about this type of trip - the people!).  Well okay, and being honest, the food and drink are pretty high up there as well, in terms of things that we look forward to as we prepare.  So I thought it would be appropriate to post a few photos of food/drink that other vacationers have posted online...savoring the thought!

EPM: All about the food

Our vacations are primarily about relaxation and food.  Well, ok, mainly food.  The fact that an all-inclusive resort allows you tons of choices in the realm of food makes it very appealing to the Chai household.  I found some awesome photos of EPM resort foods - but this most recent one takes the cake.  I love amazing room service breakfast foods!!  7 days to paradise!

conversion never felt sweeter

Over the course of my life, I have dabbled in Macs and PCs, always quick to choose the most convenient option at the time that I needed a computer.  As I learn more about operating systems and internet junk and system performance, I find that the world of Mac is sexy, sleek, and seductive enough that I'm willing to throw my PC-love (specific to statistical software packages that always are developed more quickly for PCs than Mac) out the window.

And yesterday, all those thoughts came to fruition when my loving husband presented me with a fabulous gift of a MacBook Pro (15'').  It is the most gorgeous machine I've ever owned, and will most certainly receive the love and attention it deserves.  Here are a few photos of my new baby...and believe me, she'll have a name at some point in the near future.  :)  

Sand Flea War

During our wedding trip to Mexico last year, I was the lucky recipient of a number of insect bites that left enormous welts on my back, arms, and legs.  I didn't know exactly what these were, and quite frankly didn't care too much about them until we got back to the mainland and I noticed how very ugly they were.  After some searching, I decided that I must have been bitten by 'sand fleas' (ew!).  According to my research, they only bite certain people in certain settings - totally random - and 'sensitive people' are most likely to be affected.  Great.  

If you're in the mood for prevention, and are heading to a beach vacation this fall, keep these things in mind:

1. Step 1
   Try to avoid the beach after it has rained. These moist, cooler conditions seem to put the fleas at their friskiest state. Give the area a chance to dry and warm up a little before venturing out.
2. Step 2
   Wait until mid-morning to early afternoon to go the beach, as the cooler early morning hours are a favorite time of these little mites.
3. Step 3
   Give your body a good coating of insect repellent before heading out. Check the label to make sure that the repellent works on fleas and not just mosquitoes.
4. Step 4
   Put something between yourself and the sand before sitting down, be it a beach towel or lawn chair. The reason sand flea bites are commonly located on the backs of the thighs is because this is the most exposed and accessible area when sitting directly on the sand.
5. Step 5
   Wear longer shorts if there will be direct contact with the sand. Board shorts work fairly well. Be mindful of the calves and ankles, however, as they are fair game as well.
6. Step 6
   Reapply the insect repellent if the beach party continues after sunset. Biting insects tend to get a second wind when the evening sets in.

Read more: How to Prevent Sand Flea Bites | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2083810_prevent-sand-flea-bites.html#ixzz0vff1pCbC

Found: CUTE suit

 Barreling toward Mexico...T-minus 12 days and counting...and of course, that last-minute freak-out hits.  "I'm going to be there for 7 days and I have...2 swimming suits?  Ack!!"  This always leads to a harried internet search for reasonably-priced and reasonably-styled, modern swim gear.  Not too easy when you can't try it on.  And this year, I was determined to get a swim suit skirt.  Tricky business, that is, with my other requirements in place (the cute, non-grandma look is somewhat hard to find with a skirt bottom).  But triumph emerges from the land of JCrew!  (and at 30% off, who can say no? not me...)  I got both pieces in 'bright eucalyptus.'  Does anyone else have recommendations on sweet suits?