Life in the Emerald City

Panama

Finally we arrived back on land!!  What a long week sailing through the Caribbean!  We were so glad to get back on land in a beautiful country.

The trip started out wonderfully, with everyone very excited to go on the adventure…looking forward to all the amazing sites we’d be seeing in the future!  Unfortunately, the fairytale ended on the second day out.  The owner of the boat decided to stop smoking during the trip and took his frustrations out on us.  He had a big blow up mid day and demanded we remain below decks in the crew quarters for the remainder of the trip.  The crew quarters had no windows/portholes, just a few skylights, and no access to the deck of the boat.  We naturally rebelled at this demand and a big fight ensued.  We all kept to ourselves for the remainder of the trip…it became more of a charter for Sean and I toward the end, as the owner demanded we not work anymore.  It was a long week, filled with awkward moments and some sea sickness, but we got through it!

Once in Panama, we waited 2 days for our visas to exit the ship, but on Friday we finally got to leave the boat one last time and we headed for Panama City, Panama.  We are taking some vacation time exploring Panama for now, but more about that trip later!

As of yet, we do not have plans for the rest of our summer…we are regrouping in Panama trying to figure out our next step…stay tuned!

Music has always had a special place in my life.  I always feel something inside when listening to a good song, whether it be happiness, warmth, sadness or nostalgia.  Some songs just have a way of taking me to a different place…almost spiritual.  So with that in mind, I have selected a mellow tune for this post as I’ve had a pretty mellow week of learning new things!

This is KT Tunstall‘s ‘Through the Dark‘

(I removed the music file after about 6 months, but it’s still a great tune you can get off  iTunes anytime!)

This has been a week of learning for me!  I’ve heard folks say you should learn something new everyday, but we all know that doesn’t always happen.  This week I’ve learned enough to last for at least a few weeks!!

This past weekend Sean and I went to a Catholic Engaged Encouter weekend in Orange, CA.  We had a wonderful weekend and learned a lot about ourselves as well as the best actions we can take to keep our upcoming marriage last!  Speaking of our upcoming nuptials…check out our wedding website, The Wedding Bells!  So after our weekend of learning about loving, Sean and I signed up for SAILING LESSONS!!!

We registered and picked up our studying materials at Marina Sailing.  We will be taking nine lessons on the water and one lessons in the classroom.  We have already read all the info for the first lesson and have started on lesson #2!  We are very excited to be learning how to sail…just can’t wait.  We’ve also found another sailboat we are considering as our new home…it is incredibly priced and seems to have everything we want!  Check out the 37′Oday Center Cockpit in Marina Del Ray, CA.  Sean and I have an appointment to view it on Thursday night!

Lastly, I learned how to put this great song into my blog today!  Thanks to Sean, who is so so smart and has taught me everything I know about computers!  I hope you enjoy the music (and of course the writing…though it doesn’t compare to the music)!  Have a great day!

Ciao!

Hello, hello!  I know I haven’t posted since last week, but that’s only because there hasn’t been that much stuff going on around our house!  That doesn’t mean we haven’t been having lots of fun, though!

On Monday, Labor Day, I had to work…who ever has to work on Labor Day??? I thought Labor Day was a day to celebrate those who do Labor…and give them the day OFF!!  But I digress.  Anyway, when I got off we took a nice long bike ride down to Granada Beach (A.K.A. The Dog Beach!)  A neighbor let Sean borrow her extra bike (Sean’s was stolen back on 4th of July…I told him to move it inside, he never listens.. )  The bike down to the beach is about 3 miles.  The dogs just love the exercise on the way to the beach!  You’d think they’d be tired by the time we get to the park, but as the pictures show…they still had a blast!!

Kenzie jumps right into the water after all that running!  She’s really loves to play in the water!

I wish Kenzie was facing forward in this picture, but it is nice to see the two of them playing together!  Maddie just admires Kenzie and I think Kenzie is finally warming up to her too!

Introductions: Maddie meets the big dawgs!

Sean and Kenzie do some tricks…the other pups look on with jealousy!  Kenzie is so athletic!  Just look at that poor pup, he wishes he could jump like my girl, Kenzie!!

I just love the reflection in this photo…so artistic…I can’t believe I took it!  Doesn’t Kenzie look like she’s trecking across a desert?  Still carrying that ball of course!

The bike back was long and a little tough on the pups, especially after all that play time at the beach!  We made it though (I did carry Kenzie half way cause she was slowing down a bit.)  I know she’s spoiled, but she’s my baby.  The dogs have been resting ever since..sore muscles you know!

On Tuesday morning I was treated to a rare sighting of peacocks near my restaurant.  Well, I guess it’s not that rare acording to the neighbors, but I’ve never seen peacocks in the wild, so I thought it was rare!

I believe this is the female, as in most bird species the females have less color and are not as pretty (radically different than humans!).  However, don’t quote me because I know nothing about peacocks except the famous color (of which I have many favorite outfits!)

Look at the color on this peacock!  To me it’s even more rare to see a peacock pair!  These two were traipsing around enjoying the sunshine!  I was running late to work but had to stop a snap a few photos.

Wednesday was my day off and I slept half the day, then worked on wedding questions throughout the afternoon.  In the evening, Sean and I met up with an old friend of his from high school, Sara Tayyarah.  We went to Wasabi for a sushi dinner, and it was delightful!  We bought 5 rolls: Spider, Dragon, Crunchy Dragon, Baked Lobster & Jalepeno.

The were all very good, but my favorite was the Spider Roll (not in picture).  So so yummy!

On the walk back home we stumbled across one of those new European cars that looks like a squished up SUV.  Not as cute as the mini cooper, but still adorable!

The pictures are a bit grainy and blurry, but the car still looks good!  I just think they are so cute.  This one happened to be for sale, but they are waaayyy over-priced for now!

The week has been fun…good fun, lots of fun and still another 4 days to go!

Ciao!

Today I came home and let the dogs out of their kennel as usual.  Mackenzie must have been thinking about her left overs from last night all day, b/c she immediately went over to her regular eating place…the chair!  She’s a princess, I know; we put her food on the chair so Madison doesn’t eat it before she can…Madi will eat everything in the time it take Kenzie to eat her first bite!  So, we put Kenzie’s food up on the chair and she eats there now.  Usually, she never finishes her food and we just place her bowl up on the tables in front of the chairs. (We’re lazy, I know).  So today, Mackenzie figured out how to put her paws up on the table and get at her left over food.  Not that we mind that much (although now we know we can’t leave human food up there), but it’s always better the dogs don’t get up on the tables where we eat!  So, here are a few good shots of Mackenzie, enjoying her leftovers while learning a new trick!

Sneaky Mackenzie builds a bridge to her leftovers!

Doh! Mom caught me!  He he!

In other news, I made a great new soup today…Eggplant Tomato!   MMMMMMmmmmmm……  I’ve posted the recipe on my food blog, La Cucina della Vaniglia.  Check it out if you up for an easy, but very good soup!

Tomorrow starts the Gator football season with a home game against Hawai’i.  Wish us luck!!

Ciao!

My favorite animal is the elephant. I have loved elephants for as long as I can remember; together with butterflies, they are the greatest animals on earth. Elephants are very emotional, live in strong family units, and do whatever they want! I think people have always been fascinated by their gentle appearance and docile nature, as well as their strength and ability to damage anything when they get mad. I always wanted an elephant to care for, they just get so darn big! Recently I came across a CNN story about elephants in Africa that really concerns me. Watch the video.

How is it that elephants lived for hundreds of years without destroying the environment, yet now they are the problem?? I don’t think so! I agree with the animal activists; the African people in this area just want to kill elephants for their tusks. The government should do something about this, although they’re probably too busy with all the other issues in Africa to care about the animals.

I have a good friend who’s volunteered many summers to the elephant sanctuary in Thailand. It’s a great program for injured or unwanted elephants where they can be cared for and loved throughout the rest of their lives. Unfortunately many elephants don’t make it to the sanctuary due to horrible injuries or illnesses. I wish there was more I could do for these beautiful creatures. I’d love to open a sanctuary one day and care for unwanted elephants. Until then, I’ll send my extra love, support, and funds to make sure the sanctuary stays open. If you’d like to get involved, please visit the Elephant Nature Foundation.

How could we not help these wonderful creatures??

Thanks for reading through…please spread the word if you feel others might support the cause!

So, it’s been quite a while since I’ve written in my travel blog.  Don’t worry..Sean and I have made some trips over the past few weeks, so I’ll get those up asap.  This weekend we are planning a big engagement bash at our home in Gainesville, FL.  It happens to be coinsiding with the UF/UK basketball game, so we’ll be plenty entertained!  I’ve been working on my other blogs getting everythin up and running, so bare with me…I’ll get back on track by next week!

Happy travels!