my vacation to the grand cayman islands.

shabbat shalom and welcome home!  i'm back from the vacation of a lifetime with a great tan and more great summer reads under my belt.  can i just be the first to say that going on a vacation to a tropical place as a[n almost] skinny person is phenomenal?


reasons why :


[1] i can actually wear a cute bathing suit.  
[2] i actually own a cute bathing suit that isn't a size XL
[3] i can eat whatever i want [sans gluten/wheat/dairy] without everyone in my family looking at my like i should be on a diet.
[4] i have confidence!!! I ACTUALLY HAVE CONFIDENCE!  in a bathing suit, that is.
[5] i can wear a tank top dress without feeling self conscious.
[6] i don't exceed the weight limit to go parasailing.
[7] airplane seats are a lot more comfy, as is the plane ride.
[8] my tan self looks a lot better without a disgusting white stomach.
[9] the guy helping me off the boat didn't have that hard of a time. 
[10] did i mention i have [much more] confidence?


oh, and being a GF/DF traveler STINKS!  since someone thought it would be a great idea to put gluten in turkey, i was stuck eating popchips and starbursts on the plane ride.  now most of you are thinking "hey, don't complain.  eating chips and sugar isn't that bad!"  yes, it is.  when you're traveling and are tired, sugar just makes your headache THAT much worse.  but i got sushi with kimmah after i got home, so that made it all the more worthwhile.  and now i'm just rambling...


vacation was great.  i swam with stingrays, walked on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean, and parasailed.  [yes, i was light enough to do that!]  i loved reading every single day and swimming in the clear ocean water.  would ya'll like to see some pictures of my epic vacation?  well, since you asked so politely, here ya go.

 ollie the sand pig.  hi ollie!

 sting ray massage.  and i really like this picture.  confidence, not cockiness.

 mah family in the middle of the ocean with a stingray.  what has your family done lately?

mah sisters.  julia was kind of freaking out the whole time.

i had a recent conversation with my dad about my weight and life in general.  he said "you know, ali, i can't remember you before.  this is how you've always looked to me."  it makes me really grateful that i kind of have a chance to revamp/create a new image for myself.  i hope when people think of me, they think of the new and improved ali -- the ollie who has all the confidence in the world.  because now i do.  

xx ALi