As Ryan and I walked to the gym this morning, I felt a little sad knowing our typical morning routine won’t happen for another 13 days or so.
As some of you already know from the comments section of past posts, Ryan isn’t coming on my family’s trip to Europe. Though he was obviously more than invited, he had a hiking trip planned for the end of the month with a bunch of guys out west when the Europe trip came to fruition and couldn’t get the time off work. The Europe trip is my sister’s graduation present from my parents, so the date couldn’t change due to the start date of my sister’s new job, so, sadly, Ryan won’t be joining us.
This makes someone veeeery happy…
But it makes me very sad.
I told Ryan that his absence from this trip means only one thing… We’ll just have to go back!
Last night, in preparation for our 13 days apart, we downloaded Skype on our respective computers and figured out how to video chat.
(That’s Ryan’s creepy Skyper face.)
I’ve never used Skype before and it is a-w-e-s-o-m-e (and FREE)! I’m so excited to try it out overseas and see Ryan’s face when we’re thousands of miles apart. How cool is that!?
Setting up Skype also helped me procrastinate on packing which I also enjoyed, though it postponed our typical bedtime by a bit.
Workout
Even with slightly less sleep than usual, I managed to get in a good workout. Knowing I’m not going to workout out at all on my vacation except for tons of walking while sightseeing (I’m not even bringing workout clothes with me), I felt a little extra motivated this morning.
I did a cardio-based workout that began with a 20-minute run/incline walk workout that was a slightly less intense version of this workout. (I dropped the incline on the walking portion to 8.0 and the incline on the running portion to 1.0.)
After spending some time on the treadmill, I moved into the gymnasium to complete one round of my latest jump rope-heavy cardio circuit.
Check out my sweaty red face! Burpees and mountain climbers will do that to ya!
I rounded out my workout with 5 minutes on the stair master, followed by 10 minutes on the elliptical.
I was all over the place!
Walk
After the gym, Ryan joined me and Sadie on our morning walk so we could spend a bit more time together since I will be heading to my parents’ house in St. Pete directly from work this afternoon. I loved having some company and enjoyed talking with him about my upcoming trip and his plans while I’m away.
I promised to bring him back tons of memorabilia like at least seven Eiffel Tower key chains, three Colosseum mugs and a life-size replica of Big Ben. He’s pumped!
When we arrived home, I packed my lunch while Ryan showered and said goodbye to him before showering myself. As Ryan and I were saying our goodbyes, Sadie was freaking out. It was almost as if she knew we were saying goodbye for a long time or something. She’s smarter than you might think! (That comment is for my dad who is convinced that Sadie’s IQ rivals a marshmallow.)
Breakfast
Finally it was breakfast time!
Since I’m pretty sure I will be living off of pizza, pasta and gelato in the near future, I took the opportunity this morning to make myself a nutritious smoothie packed with fruit, protein and nutrients.
Into the blender went:
- 3/4 c. milk
- 1 c. strawberry banana Chobani Greek yogurt
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 c. frozen pineapple
- 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
The light yellow color and refreshing tropical flavor of this smoothie reminded me of the sunrise on an exotic beach, inspiring me to call this smoothie a “sunrise smoothie.” Great breakfast!
I’m off to work! Last day before vacation, baby!
P.S. The Fashion page was updated with another workout wear post this morning!
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Omg I’m so sorry that Ryan can’t join you on your trip! Indeed you must go back then, I’m pretty sure you will fall in love with Europe.. Also when you go back with him, go can visit all those romantic places like Tuscany-Italy and Bruges… Have a nice trip girl!! 🙂
I’ve had to travel numerous times without my husband because his schedule is terrible and he rarely gets time off. It kind of sucks to not have him there, but I’d rather go places with other people than not go at all. Plus, like you said, you can go back together, and you’ll know which areas are the best to see with him for your trip together.
Skype is great! You guys will love it! My husband and I used it a lot when he was away at training for months at a time. Bonus- you’ll get to see Sadie too!
Skype is the best!! Brian and I used it while he was in Venezuela last fall for 2 months. Definitely made it so much easier being apart for that long since we could still see each other!
Ahh! You’re going to have so.much.fun! When we went to Europe this past summer, Skype was our savior! My parents would have died from worry if they couldn’t talk to my brother and I for two weeks while romping around Europe haha 🙂
Have fun!!
Skype is awesome! I am in the Peace Corps and have been able to talk to my family at least once a week and chat with friends on Skype constantly over the past three years. It has helped me keep up to date on everything happening back home, I even get to talk to my nieces and nephew on it. I am sure it will be a great tool for you to keep in touch with your man. I hope you have a great trip to Europe!
My husband and I just got back from our Europe trip and I’m so excited to see you document your trip so I can relive it a little. Yall are going to have a blast and Ryan not going will just make it less sad that the trip is over! That’s how we felt about coming home to our pups 🙂
Skype rocks! I still find it so crazy/weird that with the technology we have today we are able to use a program like that.
That smoothie looks extra tropical and delicious.
Hope your packing went well! Packing for Europe was a challenge for me! I was scared to look like a tourist, haha. Then I realized DUH I will look like a tourist because I take pictures of everything!
Have a fabulous time in Europe, Julie! I’m so excited for you and really looking forward to hearing about the trip 🙂 It will be fun to spend time with your fam and have tons of storytime material for Ryan when you two are reunited 🙂
Hi! I think I am going to order the Nike top that you have but I am unsure about size. What size is your top in? I am 32-26-33. Thank you!
i think mine is a small, but you may want an extra small!
Dogs have a keen sense for these things! Our dogs freak out when one or both of us is going on a trip. They also get stir crazy the day we are bound back – like they know we are on our way home!
You’ll keep in shape by walking A TON on your trip…but maybe, just maybe I can convince you to bring one running outfit? Some of my best, most beautiful runs have been abroad in places I’ve been visiting. What a great way to really see the cities/countryside (depending on where you are), even if you only go for 30 min. My most beautiful runs have been in Lake Como, Italy, Jerusalem, Israel, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Arequipa, Peru. If anything it’s really nice to get away from the people you are traveling with, especially if you are with a tour group!
I LOVE skype! My Husband and I used it when we were dating in college! We would have to not see each other for weeks at a time!
Skype will be great to keep in touch! I used skype all the time when I was long distance with my boyfriend, and I use it to keep in touch with international friends.
i LOVE skype! I use it almost every day to keep in contact with friends and family, it is great 🙂
Praise the lord for Skype!!!! It is the best thing ever! I skype with family since I live far from them, and it is great!!
Skype makes the world go around! I don’t know what I would do without it being across the country from my family! Enjoy your vacay!!!
I LOVE Skype!!! My husband travels a LOT for business and I am convinced that his trips are a bit easier on me with that handy invention. But my dog (Callie) hates it. Every time he tries to talk to her through the computer, she runs and hides. Maybe it’s the way his voice sounds through the computer? Or maybe it’s her way of telling him that she’s mad about him leaving. Yes dogs are a lot smarter than some people give them credit for. 🙂
I would be a little bummed to visit such a gorgeous place without my hubby, too. 🙁
I’ve never been “all over the place” at my gym — I’m too self-conscious, wondering if anyone else would be watching me and thinking, “What in the world is she doing?!?!” Hahaha!
i’m sad ryan won’t be going on this trip with you! 🙁 but yay for sadie who will still have her dad around.
Julie–your smoothies always look so good! Maybe sometime you could post a section for them in your recipes page?? I always want to make them but don’t want to search through the entries, hehe.
Can’t wait to read about Europe!! You will have such a great time!
Just wanted to let you know that i had a pbfinger-like wich today for breakfast!! Everything bagel flat with melted Havarti cheese and fig jam…AMAZING!
so excited for you for your Europe trip! wooo girl! can’t wait to see pics 🙂 and that smoothie sounds BOMB.com
Have a great time!! Take lots of pics and eats lots of great stuff. We are all living vicariously through you on this trip! 🙂
BTW, the marshmallow reference made me laugh…..REALLY LOUD! Too funny!
Whenever I pack a suitcase my dog starts acting extra squirrely, it’s like she knows when I’m leaving too!
Hope you have a fabulous trip!!!
Skype is awesome! I’m in a long distance relationship and its AMAZING! Saves a ton of money, and I can SEE my boyfriend!
Hi, I was wondering what sneakers are those?! I love purple! & need new workout sneakers.
they are mizuno wave riders! they’re more blue than purple in person though, i must warn you!
This smoothie sounds amazing! I bet it’s perfect after a workout:)
The smoothies look great! We make green smoothies at our house will kale or other greens, but we always like to try adding different fruits to them to give them a different flavor. I’ll have to try adding pineapple and coconut!
I am work on a project in my health class to make a healthy smoothie and i found this, but i don’t know the calories, servings, or the amount that it made with what you have provided so i was wondering if perhaps you could help me out and please provide me with said information. Thank you.