OK here are some pix from Spring Break- Sarasota/Long Boat Key, FL. A brief recap: We arrive Saturday night and pick up our blue Dodge Caravan. After arriving at Kate's parents' gorgeous apartment, we head over to St. Armand's Circle for a delicious Italian dinner. We make a quick stop at the grocery store and stock up for the week. Sunday we head to Siesta Key and lay out on the beach for the day. The water is cold, but the novelty of laying out in the sun is not. We even see dolphins swimming close to shore! My old roommate from Rochester, Daphne, and her husband, Paul, pick Lisa and I up for lunch at Olive Garden. They drop us off at the Daquiri Deck, where Courtney, Joe, Kate, and MSU Lisa (aka Trips) have been taking advantage of the 2-for-1 happy hour. Lisa and I grab a quick round of daquiris too. I notice they are selling shirts that say "Don't you wish your girlfriend was drunk like me?" and instantly need one. But, since I am saving for Alaksa (and wear could I wear it anyways) I don't get it. We head home and hit the pool and hottub. Joe and I cook dinner for everyone.

Monday morning we were lucky enough to get a small behind-the-scenes tour of Mote Aquarium. Joe from Mote let us pet and feed the manatees. We also spoke to an MSU alum who was in charge of the turtles. With free passes in hand, we made our way through the aquarium exhibits. I had a masters project meeting with the research turtle staff in the afternoon that was promising. I head home, and we all hit up the Salty Dog for happy hour.

At happy hour, Trips, Courtney and I decide to have a "Rockstar 2007" contest where we go head to head in drinking. We all do some shots to start off the night right. Lisa spills her water on her lap and gains the nickname of "Swamp Ass." The guy who showed us the manatees is the bartender, and I am pretty sure he was glad to see us go. We did a quick change at home and headed to the Gator Club in downtown Sarasota. The band was awesome and we were shaking our things on the dance floor. Friends from MI met us out too. I drank too much, got sick, and therefore lost any chance at the title of Rockstar 2007. Trips also took herself out of the running. All I can say is how lucky I am to have good friends.

Tuesday, Kate's parents took us out on their beautiful 42' boat. We had lunch at Moore's, saw more dolphins, and paddled over to a little island for some time in the sun. Unfortunately, paddling in the ocean is not as fun as it sounds.

We went out for mexican food and ice cream in St. Armand's Circle for our last night in town. We were all beat and dreading the snow up north.

All in all, it was a fabulous time and I can't wait to do it again!