Aluminum Bliss

In high school, Chris was nominated by his teachers for the Dreamers and Doers Award.  Fifteen years later, Chris is still dreaming and doing extraordinary things.  From organizing and executing an elaborate wedding proposal (if you haven’t heard the story – just ask – it’s pretty impressive) to selling all of our possessions and moving into an Airstream, his dreams and actions make for an adventurous, fun, spontaneous, and exciting life.

Interests: His amazing and beautiful wife (who is, coincidentally, the author of his bio), community service, travel, any and all outdoor activities, Hokie football, and trying to learn a musical interest (most recently, the guitar and now the ukulele).

Favorite TV Show(s): While claiming to dislike television, Chris secretly enjoys The Amazing Race and is easily sucked into any show on the Discovery Channel.

Favorite Movie(s): Chris despises many movies (particularly the mainstream Hollywood movies) but does enjoy documentaries, independent and foreign films.

Favorite Book(s):  Chris just recently took up reading and has found enjoyment in books on happiness (Stumbling on Happiness; The Geography of Bliss), biographies (The Last American Man), and self-help books (The Power of Less).

Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan and any meal cooked by his incredible wife, Lani.

Best travel moment: Doing backflips at a school yard in Fiji – he became a celebrity with the children.

Worst travel moment: Crashing a scooter in Croatia and scarring Lani for life.

Goals for the Airstream Adventure: Meeting new people, learning to relax and enjoy life, and kayaking.

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Lani was once told by a former boss that she has the patience of a saint.  For anyone who knows Chris knows that it takes a patient person to be married to him.  While she did not receive any awards for being a dreamer and a doer (shocking), Lani is almost always supportive of Chris’ big and crazy ideas.  In return, Chris is patient with her constant worries and panic attacks and ensures that she leads an adventure-filled life.  Together, Chris and Lani are a perfect team.

Interests: Spending time with her adventurous husband, reading (this includes books, blogs, and celebrity gossip), kayaking, Hokie football, and travel.

Favorite TV Show(s): Lani is easily sucked into almost anything on television.  Favorites include Amazing Race, The Office, and Parks & Recreation.  While in graduate school, Lani perfected the art of procrastination by spending Sunday afternoons watching marathons of bad reality shows instead of writing papers.  Hopefully, those days are behind her.

Favorite Movie(s): Lani loves all types of movies, including the mainstream Hollywood movies that Chris despises.  There are too many favorite movies to list here.

Favorite Book(s):  For the past three years, Lani has been reading public administration books for school.  While some of these were interesting, Lani is looking forward to some lighter reading.  Favorites include:  The Geography of Bliss, The Glass Lake, and Eat, Pray, Love.  She is easily sucked into mystery novels but also appreciates a good nonfiction too.  Any recommendations? Please share!

Favorite Food: Thai food (drunken noodle, mango with sticky rice); Indian food (Yum!) almost anything Italian, anything with chocolate, and all of mom’s cooking.  Yes, she loves to eat.

Best travel moment: She has two.  The first is spending time in Fiji and visiting with the locals in the villages.  The second is bike riding on the island of Sipan in Croatia.  Both of these moments were relaxing and inspiring.

Worst travel moment: Being tossed off a scooter and sliding across the pavement in Croatia was not a highlight of her travels.

Goals for the Airstream Adventure: Gaining confidence and trying new things, getting some use out of our kayaks, creating an entertaining and informative blog, and meeting new people and hearing their stories.

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Buddy

Buddy, an Italian Greyhound rescue, joined our family in January 2003.  His past is unknown but we suspect he was abused.  He is the most skittish dog ever, cowering at our every move.  His big eyes, however, will melt your heart and every now and then he will lay his head on your lap and for that moment feel at ease.  It’s always a proud moment.

Interests: Running,  barking, licking AJ in inappropriate places, and getting attention from his owners on his terms.

Favorite Food:  He’s a very picky eater but always appreciates cheese.

Goals for Airstream Adventure:  Never letting his owners out of his sight.

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AJ

AJ, another Italian Greyhound rescue, joined our family in 2004.  Unlike Buddy, AJ had no problems joining our family.  He made himself at home almost immediately, although he and Chris had some challenges at first.  AJ let it be known of his dislike of Chris by peeing on his clothes on numerous occasions.  They have since worked out their differences and today the two are best buds.   AJ is very accident prone and may have nine lives.  From tumors to bulging discs, he has been a costly dog but we love him anyway.  While he is approaching the old age of 13 and his body shows it, he still has the personality of a puppy.

Interests:  Scoping out the kitchen and finding creative ways to get to food, eating, drinking, eating, playing with stuffed animals, and eating.

Favorite food:  Anything will do, but he really loses his patience when lettuce, cheese, and peanut butter are in sight.

Goals for Airstream Adventure:  Try new foods, meet new dogs, and enjoy the comforts of the air-conditioned Airstream.