I recently took a VERY much needed, and well deserved vacation to visit my great friends Bob and Victor in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. It's a very rare time when I get to go alone and enjoy company of good friends without a (supergreat) child hanging on me.Bob and Victor moved to Ottawa last year from San Diego. Vic is attending Le Cordon Bleu, where he is finishing his last term (Superior) at the top of his class. Needless to say, I enjoyed some GREAT food while I was there. Some highlights of the trip included karaoke night at a local bar where I shown like the star I am, a day trip to Montreal on the greyhound bus without being decapitated while I slept (come on Bob...I know you were thinking about it), fantastic meals, poutine at the Costco food court (french fries with brown gravy and cheese curd), a massage at a BEAUTIFUL spa sort of out in the wilderness, a nice hike around a beautiful lake, walking around the city, trips to the dog park with their 2 puppies, Blake: Boston Terrier and Clara: Scottish Terrier, and generally just relaxing. My trip home was nice too as I was asked to take a different airline but was upgraded to first class.
Speaking of plane trips, I was all set to get on the plane and take a nice LONG nap on my way to Canada. The flight was at 6:10 AM and I had been up since 3. I was really looking forward to my solo trip without worrying if I had packed enough juice boxes and fruit snacks to satiate whining kids. I got on the plane all set with my travel pillow. I found my seat and discovered I was sitting next to an 11 year old girl named Colette who was obviously hopped up on WAY too many Pop Rocks and soda. She had just spent 8 weeks in San Diego with her Aunt and attended ocean camp and was headed home to her Mom in Illinois. She was very excited to be heading home and certainly could care less about my plan to get some sleep. Long story short, my flight included learning all about her dream to become a marine biologist specializing in rays and sharks, being sung to, getting a makeover, learning her life story of all 11 years, hearing all about her girl friends, favorite books, color, movies, songs and bands, TV shows and the everything else important to a young girl. I could just see my daughter Rose sitting there on a flight by herself when she gets older and decided my sleep could wait. Colette needed a friend on her way home. At one point she rested her head on my arm and said she would miss me. She pretty much talked non stop for the 4 1/2 hour flight. I was rewarded with a nice hug as we got off the plane. She was a nice, cute girl.
Thanks to Victor and Bob for being fantastic hosts. A SUPERGREAT time was had by all! I miss them already! 
