Stamp Collecting!

        Stamp Collecting is something that I just stumbled upon about 4 days ago. This was not a hobby I ever thought that I would enjoy, but I really do! My grandfather worked for the post office post-war and collected stamps for years and years. I never knew about this though! I started looking through the collection and found stamps dating back to the late 1800's and were only 1 cent. He collected stamps from all over the world also, such as Iceland and Africa..which as cool as that is, do you know how complicated it gets to research stamps from other continents? I spent about 3 hours searching for the current value of the stamps and got through about 15 stamps. That did not even put a dent in to the extensive collection that my dad has..and I am thinking that it will take me quite awhile to document the value of every single one of them, but it seems to be such a great investment. The cool thing about any kind of rare antique or collection, is that there were only so many issued of whatever item you are looking at, and as time passes, those numbers keep decreasing as far as people who actually still have those items. Holding on to this collection for another 40 years could put my grandkids (if I ever have kids...) through college! This has turned out to be something that I am really fascinated with, who knew that little things your grandparents took an interest in would be still so relevant in younger generations. I know very little about the whole process, but I am sure there are still many buyers in the stamp collecting market. I can definitely add this hobby to my "I am way to young to be so interested in this" pile that seems to grow much quicker than any extreme hobbies that people in their 20's are probably doing. Oh well, I don't think there is anything wrong with sitting on the floor sorting stamps, could be worse things to be in to right?

HOLA!

I honestly do not know where to even begin with this blog about Mexico. Two weeks in paradise is a pretty large amount of information to write in such a small post. So try to follow along! I didn't know what to expect when we got there..and I did litte research on Cozumel so I would be completely surprised. We got there and honestly I would have been happy just sitting at the airport because I was just SO excited to be there! Our hotel was beautiful, the waitstaff was great and the view was incredible! Minus a couple days of crummy weather, it was absolutely amazing. I took a pool scuba lesson..which actually scared me more than I thought would (but I am currently pursuing becoming certified!) and so I snorkeled with the kids instead. Lon actually let me breathe off his tank for a little bit and I am pretty sure I sucked all the air out of it in a matter of 10 minutes..but I think I will really like diving! Oh and Jellyfish! I never thought I would get used to jellyfish stings...but after dozens of them..you learn not to care. We did "Island Tours" which was pretty much bar hopping along the island at all Lon's family's favorite spots..which was awesome! The best part about being in Cozumel with the Meszaros clan (Lons Fam) was that they have been going there for years, so I felt more like a local than a tourist. And the antiquity was just incredible. Honestly, houses with paint chipping off, garbage in the front yard and a family of 5 on a mo-ped is the norm there and its SO charming! At home though..not so much.

 I got to check out the Mayan ruins, which was actually pretty cool considering the world was supposed to end today according to the silly historians. But I was truly blown away by the preservation of these buildings from over a thousand years ago..absolutely fascinating. We also took a tour of the lighthouse which was very cool, along with the Mayan lighthouse that was the size of a coat closet and at one time was very efficient! I know the babbling of this post is probably making you sea sick..but my mind is too cluttered with memories to correctly write them out. Anyways,  The Iron Man was going on while we were there (which coincidentally has inspired me to run a mini marathon) but Lon's sister in law and myself took a 6am cab to the starting point, snuck behind the scenes and got to experience the race in a very up close way. These people must be crazy! Lastly, the shopping...my oh my the shopping. I planned ahead and brought extra bags so I could bring stuff home..but I did not planning on wanting to buy everything in sight. AND! I am overwhelmingly good at bartering with these crazy Mexicans. I had so much fun every time we went in to town and next time I am taking about 6 extra suitcases. Poor Lon...I always tell him that my problems turn in to his problems because before we knew it half my stuff was in his suitcases and his bags weighed about 400 lbs. This trip was incredible, I can't wait to get back on that glorious island..the group that we went with was irreplaceable...until next time Mexico!