Life's a Beach
by Harris |
May 01, 2012 09:40 AM |
0 comments
Harris
Location:
NY, NY
Favorite Flavor:
Whichever I am currently using.
If you could travel back in time, what era would you live in? The Jurassic Era.
What’s your favorite meal? Do you cook?: Steak...no, I don’t cook (wait, does microwaving count?)
Three things you cannot live without…Josie (wife), Kilo (dog), breathing.
I am a member of the Coffee-mate Brew Crew.
I am not a beach person. I have never been a beach person and I don’t think that I ever will be a beach person. This year, I, along with my wife and our 16 month old daughter, have already committed to three beach vacations.
That paragraph should prompt several questions, the most prominent ones being: why do you dislike the beach, why would someone who does not like the beach agree to go on three beach vacations, and also, how much do you writers make that you can afford THREE vacations in four months.
My aversion to the beach stems from the fact that I never learned how to swim - so I’m not a huge fan of the water. Or maybe it’s because I’m not a huge fan of the water so I never learned how to swim. Either way, I can’t swim. (Also I’m not a big fan of being in the sun, or walking in flip-flops, or trying to get sand out of your bathing suit.)
So, why are we going? Well, since I don’t want my daughter to be like daddy, not only is she currently in swim class but I am determined that the ocean will be her friend.
But three vacations in one summer?!?
First of all, it’s not as luxurious as it sounds...The first vacation is only for a weekend, pre-Memorial day, and is free, as we were “lucky” enough to have rented it for the weekend that a hurricane struck Long Beach Island (NJ) last year. The owner of the house was nice enough to give us a weekend this year to make up for it.
The second one, also on Long Beach Island, will be with my wife’s parents. It will also be paid for by my wife’s parents. This vacation is a family tradition for them, dating back to the 1900s (very, very late 1900s).
The third will be with four other families and our children, all sharing a house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. There will also be two single friends coming along. After this vacation, they may decide they don’t want to get married or have kids.
Of course, it’s not as if I’m only going on these vacations for my daughter to feel at ease with the vast, endless, terrifying ocean.
Living year round in New York City can take its toll, even on those of us who’ve always lived here (or maybe because of that). I am definitely looking forward to getting away from frantic city life, especially during the dog days of summer. Not only will I love spending extended time with the family (and friends who I never get to see anymore - new parents reading this should be nodding), but I will also love the barbecues, Cheese Night (another family tradition, don’t ask) and the times I get to spend some quality time alone with my coffee.
Given that I drink five cups a day (some because I like it, some because I need it) all with Coffee-mate, one mini-trip that I look forward to on vacation is to the local supermarket, and checking out what Coffee-mate flavors that they offer (my own tradition!), especially since I can only find French Vanilla and Hazelnut in the stores where I live. I seriously can’t wait to check out their dairy aisles!
I’m already picturing myself at the beach, under an umbrella, slathered in lotion, waving at my wife and daughter who are dancing in the waves. I’ve got a wide smile on my face, both for them, and for the iced coffee that I’m drinking, which contains whatever delicious Coffee-mate flavor I was able to procure.
I can’t wait!