In case you hadn't noticed, I have been on vacation, in more ways than one. I've taken what seems like an endless string of small trips and mini-breaks here and there for about the last two months, with one or two longer trips thrown in. Consequently, I've also taken a default vacation from blogging! This is my attempt to make up for the last month:
As promised in my last post, I have written about my survival of a 14 hour flight to Korea and back this past June. It was my first time in Asia, and my first truly long distance flight with RA. Despite being a travel-addict, I was a bit terrified at the prospect of such a taxing flight, but I was just as determined and excited to finally check another continent off my list. Check out the article and the great comic strip that goes with it by Jane Samborski over at MyRACentral.com to find out how it all turned out.
For those of you who have been following my dating woes and windfalls, you can also read my latest article while you are there about shooting up in front of my boyfriend for the first time. The experience was a little scary, and I felt pretty exposed confronting this milestone. I'll be doing it again this weekend for the second time, and I still feel a little self-conscious about it - my own issues, not his.
On a lighter note, Savannah and Charleston were amazing over July 4th! Savannah was breathtaking and full of romance. Who wouldn't feel seduced by all those old, gorgeous squares dripping with moss and mystery.
That, mixed with the humidity of a proper summer night in the South, made for quite a relaxing start to our trip. We followed it up by heading to Charleston. I had been there once before, but was still blown away by its charm, and being there with a beau made it even more enchanting. What can I say- being in love pretty is pretty divine!
In typical Sara-fashion; however, I overindulged on all the delicious Southern fare I'm partial to, including this world famous coconut cake:
Yes. I ate that. Hence, I am back to steadfastly following my Weightwatchers regimen since (and I am admitting it here boldly) I have totally gained back all the weight I took off!!!!!! Boo hiss. Sad but undeniably true. Between saying good-bye to New York by essentially eating my way out of the city, the holidays, traveling around the world and being back in a relationship, the pounds have slowly crept back on over the last year. I'm bummed, but trying not to be discouraged. I can't really blame this one on RA, which I guess is good news, in a way.
In addition to Korea, Charleston and Savannah, I've also taken a trip back up to New York City for a bridal shower for one of my dearest friends and have been running around in the meantime between here and the D.C. area (where my boyfriend resides), and am heading out next week to the beach to see my family, so I feel like I am constantly living out of a suitcase.
Speaking of which, for those of you who follow me on Facebook, I finally landed on what I think will be the perfect new suitcase! After my last few trips, it became abundantly clear that my old suitcase was way too heavy, not to mention beat-up and outdated. So I searched methodically through tons of different suitcase options (thanks to all who shared links and suggestions) and, after getting one that seemed perfect but was, in the end, too small, I am now in possession of this 22-inch wheelie that weighs only 7 lbs, 13 oz! I'm looking forward to taking it on its first trip next week.
In other news, I have done an excellent job of recommitting to my yoga practice lately, getting up in the morning FIVE days last week and two (so far) this week to practice before going to work. It makes such a difference, so I'm going to try to keep it up as much as possible, while keeping an eye on some pesky finger swelling and wrist-ickyness that has been popping up recently. Is it the weather? Is it stress? Who knows. Maybe it's just because I have rheumatoid arthritis, and that is what rheumatoid arthritis does.
I hope everyone's summers have been going well, though perhaps at a slightly slower pace than my own (I cannot believe it is nearly August). Thanks for continuing to read even when I'm not so faithful. I am better at keeping up on my blog's Facebook Page, so if you haven't already 'liked' it, head over and do so. There is quite a bit of activity on it from lots of people around the world, so it's not just me whingeing on about annoying RA everyday-ness. I hope to see you there, and I'll try to be better about being here!
I'm jealous! :-) At least about the romantic Southern trips. You didn't mention what the sharing needles was.
Posted by: Chelsea | July 29, 2010 at 01:39 AM
Hi Chelsea, the 'sharing needles' was in reference to the article on RACentral.com about shooting up in front of my boyfriend for the first time (That's what the article is called). You can find the link up above- hope you enjoy!
Posted by: sara | July 29, 2010 at 07:34 AM
"Maybe it's just because I have rheumatoid arthritis, and that is what rheumatoid arthritis does."
Amen. I am finally starting to accept this about my husband's brain injury...sometimes he has 6 migraines a month because he has a brain injury, not because he's tired/ drank too much wine/ too stressed etc.
Sigh.
Posted by: Cat | July 29, 2010 at 04:59 PM
Glad to hear how well things are going. And even if you gained a few pounds, you are doing yoga again, so that is good.
I recently got back from Texas and thought I was going to die! on the small plane coming back. No leg room for my long legs and the minor back pain I had turned into major pain and incapacitation. But ice packs and heat put it back in its place. Was it RA, I don't know. After two years, I still have problems identifying what the pain is from. when I think it is RA, the Dr. thinks it is the fibro. And of course, some pain is just pain. Oh well, I am much less emotional about the pain now that it has subsided. LOL
Have fun at the beach!
Liz
Posted by: Liz Prather | July 29, 2010 at 05:33 PM
Cat- Yeah, this one is still a lesson I'm learning- Not to always search for some other reason to blame and realize that this is just what it does.
Liz- ick. that flight sounds miserable. I think you make a good point that some pain is just pain. easy to forget that. I'm glad that it's subsided, though, whatever the culprit. Great to hear from you!
Posted by: sara | July 31, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Your trips sound fabulous! I'm so glad that things seem so well under control. And I'm also mad at you for posting that picture of the cake. :) I'm actually considering yoga- what type do you do? I've been looking at both restorative and hot.
Posted by: Amanda | August 01, 2010 at 08:45 PM
Hey Amanda,
I do vinyasa yoga, but I typically take a lower level class and make a lot of modifications. I would definitely recommend restorative yoga for sure. I have never done hot yoga. I know some people love it- I'm not so sure that I would. Whatever you do, I'd recommend telling the teacher ahead of time that you have RA so they can offer modifications as needed. If nothing else, sitting there and breathing helps ease the stress and tension.
As for the cake, well....
Posted by: sara | August 17, 2010 at 09:08 PM