Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! Keith, Steve, Christy, and I celebrated New Year's Eve at Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand. We were all at the beach waiting for the countown as fireworks went off in the sky. The beach scene was incredible as we were surrounded by so many people from all over the world. It was so neat to see everyone having a great time and celebrating the promise and hope of a new year. After our New Year's celebration, Christy, Steve, and I went to bed around 3 am. We were all beat and then Steve handed me the best gift: Ipod loaded with all the Gossip Girls episodes that I have missed. Even though I was beat, I managed to stay up all night to watch 6 episodes. I still had 3 episodes remaining so I wanted to save those for my flight home. I love you, Steve!

After New Year's, Keith made his way back to Bangkok to fly back to Chicago. Steve, Christy, and I decided to take a boat ride to a few of the island's special hotspots....

Monkey Beach --- A beach with monkeys roaming around! We were able to feed the monkeys and take pictures with them. Lots of fun!

Snorkeling at Phi Phi Ley --- I went diving again in Phi Phi Don before Steve and Christy arrived so this time we all went snorkeling. We enjoyed checking out the bright corral and fish swimming around us. The best part of this trip was when Steve and Christy said they definitely want to try diving in the future because they wanted to get closer to the undwater life after their snorkeling experience. I can't wait for our diving trip soon! Sarah Starr and Jason Cohen....you better join us!

Maya Beach --- This is the famous beach where they filmed "The Beach". Keith checked out this beach a few days before we did and he described it best, "It just doesn't seem real because it is THAT beautiful. It all seems made up." We all witnessed it for our own eyes and we fell in love with it too. We took so many photos but unfortunately our pictures don't convey the incredible beauty....Everyone must come here and see it!

After spending 3 days in Koh Phi Phi for Christy and Steve, 7 days for me, we started our island hopping tour of Thailand. Our next stop was Railay Beach. Railay Beach was another paradise. Railay was very nice because it was much smaller and more private. It was great to just relax and not deal with so many people everywhere. We spent 2 days here before we left for Koh Samui, an island on the east coast of Thailand. We've been here for 3 days now and we are loving every minute of it. I will write more about Koh Samui in my next blog. Right now, I want to write about my fellow traveling mates, Keith, Christy, and Steve.....

You always learn so much about someone when you are around them 24 x 7. I thought I really knew these guys because I spend a lot of time with them in Chicago. I am so comfortable with Keith, Steve, and Christy that I am completely fine just eating their leftovers off their plates. Just when I thought I really knew these guys, I was quickly reminded of new things I didn't know. The best part of a friendship is growing together and learning more about someone. I definitely have learned a lot of fun things about them these past few weeks.

KEITH aka The Gelmanator aka Button....The Gelmanator because Beaver named him this (I think). Button because my GFs from home used to call him Cute as a Button (which originated from Kate). Keith and I met through our mutual friend Dave 6 yrs ago and he was my first friend in Chicago. Keith and I couldn't be more opposite. We disagree on almost everything and the only thing we have in common is our love for clothes and Peking Gourmet. Oh, we are also from the DC Metro Area. Since we are complete opposites and we don't see eye to eye on things, I wasn't sure how everything would go on our trip together. We both wanted this trip to be great but we also had different agendas on our list. When push came to shove in Thailand, Keith was there for me when I needed him. He put aside his agenda and stepped it up for me on several occassions. Ex. He got rid of my Stage 5 Clinger...aka The Mayor. Keith could have been talking to plenty of single girls that were hanging onto him but he actually took care of my situation first before he went back to his girls. I didn't think he would but I was wrong. It's nice to be wrong sometimes.

CHRISTY aka Small Fry aka Vinny Chase....Small Fry because she's petite, under 100lbs, and in great shape. Vinny Chase because she is an actress and I'm waiting for her to make it big so that we can be a part of her Entourage. I didn't go to Cannes when I was in France a few months ago because I'm planning on going when Christy gets nominated for an award! Since Christy is petite, I told her it must be nice for her to wear a bikini any day of the year and KNOW that she'll look hot. She said that she does have issues because it is very hard to find a bikini that fits her well because she is so small. We decided to go shopping today to find her new bikinis because she usually has to order them online. When we were shopping, I couldn't help but notice the bikinis were so cute because they were so small and pretty. I felt like I was shopping for a doll. It was fun dressing up my doll Christy! Shopping with Christy made me see what she was talking about in regards to finding the right small size BUT I think the majority of us would be happy with that problem :)

STEVE aka Popper aka Stevie....Popper because his last name is Popp. Stevie knows me too well and truly gets me and my absentminded/neurotic tendencies. When he found out I was leaving for this trip, the first thing he said was, "Now Nancy, I'm going to need a copy of your passport before you leave because you know you might lose yours." I lose everything and Steve knows this and he is always one step behind me picking up anything I leave behind like my cell phone, wallet, purse, etc. We are basically like Hansel and Gretel since Hansel would pick up the bread crumbs that Gretel left behind. I thought I knew Steve pretty well but here's another little tidbit.....Steve sleeps with his clothes on. Not his PJs, but his clothes that he wears out at night. He says he only does this in the summer when he is wearing shorts. Ex. Since it's hotter than hell in Thailand we are obviously wearing summer clothes here. Steve went to bed wearing his cargo shorts, polo shirt, and his belt! When I woke up in the morning, I thought he just passed out that way so I didn't think anything of it. Well, I saw him do it again the next night so I asked him and he said, "Yeah Nance, I just sleep in my clothes." Interesting........

Keith, Christy, and Steve are also finding out about my quirks too....Even though Keith and I have probably shared over 100 meals in the last 6 years, he was amazed and shocked by how much I eat while we've been on the trip. He has been encouraging me to enter an Eating Contest. Steve and Christy have now witnessed my Early Morning routine when I get up and disappear for a few hours. My gal pals from DC know this about me all too well. The funny thing about my Early Morning routine is the different responses that I got from Keith, Christy, and Steve. Keith told me, "Don't wake me up when you leave. Just leave quietly." Christy and Steve told me, "Wake us before you leave. We want to go with you!" Thanks guys for a great time in Thailand! You guys brought Chicago with you and I'm looking forward to going back to Chicago soon!!!