tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81671195205811552392024-02-07T17:15:51.883-08:00Where you goin' Coen?Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-75955792982552561512015-05-30T21:43:00.001-07:002015-05-30T21:43:50.269-07:00Fabulous Mediocrity <p dir="ltr">My husband Jon was once in a conversation with a close friend who was struggling with the disappointment of how his life wasn't turning out the way he'd expect, specifically in regard to purpose and fulfillment. Jon's response was brilliant: he said, yes, it is hard to come to that late 20s/early 30s realization that we hadn't achieved more by now -and it's fine to allow yourself to grieve that loss for a bit- but that actually the only thing wrong was our unrealistic expectations in the first place. <br>
But don't dwell on it for too long at the risk of just becoming a cranky douche. Instead, learn to embrace a life of "fabulous mediocrity." (Jon's exact words) Do the work you need to do to survive with a decent attitude and the rest of the time do your best to tap into whatever makes you happy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'll add this point: damned if our well-meaning parents aren't somewhat to blame because of their ultimately deceitful "encouragement" telling us "you can be anything you want." Which is why I tell Coen to go ahead and dream big, but don't get too caught up on the end results. Enjoy the ride! </p>
<p dir="ltr">http://www.newrepublic.com/article/121915/dont-search-purpose-you-will-fail</p>
Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-24343612347271822972015-03-16T18:03:00.001-07:002015-03-16T18:03:48.405-07:00Urban Hike <p dir="ltr">Jon wasn't feeling well on Sunday so I took Coen on an all-day field trip in our little city. First we walked to the Irish pub at the one end of the retail district, The Marlay, where we had brunch. Then, after make a brief stop at the Cook's Warehouse for espresso machine cleaner and a tiny cheese grater we were previously unaware we absolutely needed, we made our way up the hill to the main Square. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We knew it was time for a sweet treat so, after much discussion regarding whether to go to our local frozen yogurt place (The Yogurt Tap) or to one of the two ice cream shops, we settled on checking out the flavors at each place to help us decide.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, the excitement and temptation at the first place overrode our previous logic and we ordered a sundae with one scoop of The Milkiest Milk Chocolate and a scoop of the Ndali Estate Vanilla topped with fresh whipped cream, sprinkles, an equally fancy cherry and served with some Salty Caramel sauce on the side. (I'd like to add that all of this sustainably sourced, natural, small batch awesomeness was only $6.00!) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Afterwards we had to make the obligatory stop at the bandstand gazebo which Coen loves to run around and was happily accompanied by a fellow circle-running and loud-screaming aficionado, a 3 year old named Aubrey. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Once he was worn out I took him to a little boutique and bribed him to be patient using my phone while I browsed. I picked up a pair of jeans and a pair of earrings that are little quotation marks and therefore perfect for me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We rounded off the day by spending some time at the playground near our house.  All in all our urban hike took about 5 hours and covered maybe 2.5 miles :) And of course we made sure to keep everyone safe the whole time from any bad guys by using Power Ranger karate moves. Both of us. </p>
Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-21884587760745617722011-06-20T18:55:00.001-07:002011-06-20T18:55:18.881-07:00Here's a sampling of the trips I've had in the meantime...in our pop-up camper!<div><p>We've been to Indian Springs State Park, Georgia Veterans Park in Cordele (where we celebrated my 2nd birthday on the S.A.M. train between Cordele and Plains) and Hard Labor Creek State Park. I'm a happy camper! <br>
The photos here are from Hard Labor as well as a hike along the waterfalls at Cloudland Canyon. I'll have to add other photos as I can get access to them!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5yLLGA0r1bgFkzTej5Yx0HuAr1_mKmbGSFIEqiZp_lxqjE5msIbuk33wU4dSGs85cZ2Lmfic_L2dbIfjV_QUGA2dJNwvFb-2Um12YhlxqGOvqEEy03oKzkpWJzYc8frQydZjj_oQPv21/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYiVdwz-JaLSdaZEot8o2yihvTnJuoz3WPWfMhU3zuFSVdOGV-RC2EeU9rNJHwq6gc-BnD00AD7ZVFxMwjtGNzPwqP_LzhaxNShVjH_nYsVJC4-OMXtguzaOZ4kI6U1elNDWSW2kVARZJ/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAldsV2PwWm1DKP4H4WSA3AhVP-5ltiEezndi8HcurCwhaE_nYvOEg2ikyFkjFa9gZLYJHAWyGvkLjSGp3HSMBmfN1al36G56PKDradS3Es4R8u6cFgaRY7Y4H1nRx2HBm5T4UaqFXus3/' /></div>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-68314986371692765182011-06-20T18:44:00.001-07:002011-06-20T18:44:24.061-07:00Here's a sampling of the trips I've had in the meantime...Random excursions near home<div><p>Here are photos from Spring 2011 at a local art show called Artlantis where I enjoyed an orange creamsicle King of Pops popsicle, petted rabbits at Yellow River Game Ranch, a trip to Atlanta's children's museum, "Imaginarium" where I loved the grocery delivery truck, and chowed down on Googie burger fries and milkshake afterward.</p>
<p>And don't forget the manatee painting we bought!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwIPSSyflbxmE45m0H9CZd2qgpyjR7He2o_-jD_v1Dc8qklQ2hCeo4FS-It4kq1E2F3gRmo1324JoxLZ0POyrpewS1cDI-JSUZ6R6PKdVJTNGdzDZqEbP3Qsgh1FYG6PTYzxyMRReZRtf/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDY2b1S2mnBBr1X1lnmpojYo2Yl0gEzef5sJOHGTvGDe9FPZp_NF1x5kxJ5_-9QcwlKdATcPXMl75HuSkdw-BeBT2DezuqP9upXBQh2AKcVHymkhvA9E4CTQz8BxRlrHi2K0HCNemsUP1/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i0a-99IshPKh7w4u_c0YMW_oOQlzfib_cxj_PtCmbbaXdYuKAmIoOuzT7nZWuoZyBlineeVTX3ay9S94uukiZFZeUgtkAjvwT47odWFkt861qPEqj0kYs7Xn0Q1QcLlMhjz-4NxAfCzn/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-rQkVomPCnbWrgXXQiLF9b-nCmWWhYKwpKl3l6M_RxMUuGmVYwTB27acgpekoG7nidOsvFYkROv3txQ0LPqfwpFllluh5LVUi1Ja59RuUHwalqff3feL2bXS3LB6xOX3kQY-lIg51C5o/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEvklboR4-KuPllrWW8zS9Ww1HIRMjistUXhbNYxjjqCHj8_HwlN29vpZIL-Th-icGE4Wty3PT2o05vr6xYwbYq_6AkzDOrUp5gVsEup2aR2lZ5qCFElxswgmacHcHr85MOn81lsQSop5/' /></div>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-39268825795971791492011-06-20T17:42:00.001-07:002011-06-20T18:18:42.512-07:00Here's a sampling of the trips I've had in the meantime...May 2011 to Orlando<div><p>We went to Sea World, Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom and a dinner show called "Arabian Nights," which featured horse stunts and fun music I danced to with sweet abandon, as seen in the photos below. Other photos are of me and dad in the hotel pool, at Disney watching the Electric Parade, on a carousel, racing on the "Speedway," laughing at the giant Mr. Potato Head at the Toy Story ride, and, finally, totally wiped out in Dad's car. </p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt3F6vBQT52nf91X_bSPas0DEepLhquNOpHGXuWaEnOVpZoNT8teWZEPFi3j33OBXcrL__l6sIynjT0jGnA8hi39LN7S2PW5Hwe_Vnj20F_gfl5txsv_SFvTgdaQouUhKUeO1-6inS8ZM/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cb0kKfmNpNAxz2btS3DZCGOM6FQ8utZVyW9wLALiYzNxkzJ0r5dei5DomXMOl1vhqYUmlYfW0pUJwIMK9P-2sJ2r8IKTKyAdcAN4xLLPI4PB6erVRbgqQ_ztsD9EJF_C_meYNW8u4oab/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcU2pQLZY8W141NkjcBMq59y0Uwlwhfemrkl9ci9ZZFd0QPtBTWzpRDFV-NksaOv9GYaiLTkvfx65D4JGL9XHZDewMgxS6E92IyIh9P0xs-X2SML7GhQLEZUl27aLC72dSYN8xfne6_jD/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4vAEqpBHoR5yHlTTDUfNOBTlbNM74bM_1w-accEcZDNNRX670-c6Zp8rNpRL4_TB2PXdwT8mK_d-PGIFm790DvTLmUphRE2WQine-qeEVY4iHTA2zb99k7ww46KLXTVfoKXYElEqqWCL/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChtSSrcNo4-577303qSSEzCiihcQyOjgRzKZrdlzU7zxBmxmALj0Ek3QEUTTQzujMTXANDLEoN5e17n9aPJo7HSkpibu8vPb6xcJK6hOOqLXm4X7DgbDZrkEJkouTpoCGGdX5cRTCkMZb/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS9x4CzQwy6ykR3mU-LWhedmK5QetNt6daApX3tgVv6doxb-10OhuMF6Yh7Znn_qPELb7HAHLwES3f2z4LillnoUMPEyi_M2rnUBwWkUjg9JsZ1ruK675-L09Ge11eT-buZD57SjI4-H3/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV41rQVYEawRTLMtz06HEo7aA3J9r8OFLT-DQD1S9nNTOJ957lNO34csBXCeoDe0d8O8wQT6fZ6Jna4eFwAL0zCy_YwZkGwIRztJe0X2rl8zaEaBf6niP0skTH331NLtEIC1RfkSE-Y_kb/' /></div>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-73681803616289262732011-06-20T14:56:00.001-07:002011-06-20T17:35:15.772-07:00It has been a while, but I would like to think I've returned to you, my freends, for good.<div><p>My personal assistant has been, shall we say, otherwise indisposed for the past, well, way too long. But now that we all officially live in the future, she's able to convey my travel adventures to you via this Blogger app. <br>
Terrific.<br>
Let's get started. <br>
We are on our way home from a Father's Day (weekend) trip to Rolling Waves Cottages in Longboat Key, FL. It was quite relaxing and enjoyable. The weather was perfect and we spent each morning and afternoon at the beach, interrupted only by my midday repose, which was equally enjoyed by my (apparently very sleepy) travel companions. The beach was heavenly; a nearly empty stretch of soft white sand with warm low rolling waves at our feet. The temperature was quite hot but the honored Dad of the Day saved said day with the amazing screened-in tent contraption that he bought. We all easily fit into it with lounge chairs and it made the sand and breeze at least 10 degrees cooler, which made the beach wonderfully do-able for the tan-challenged Mom.</p>
<p>We had breakfast at Dolphin Cafe, Cafe St. Armand & Minnie's Cafe each morning, respectively. The staff at Dolphin were rude but the food was good, the staff at St. Armand were sweet but the food was sad, especially when being choked down on a great terrace in perfect weather on Lido Key. Minnie's in Holmes Beach was darling and easygoing with food that wasn't trying to be anything but yummy. </p>
<p>Our lunches were made at the cottage (hot dogs & BLTs) except for today when I was introduced to the ritual of going to Gennie & Jane E's at the old IGA on Anna Maria Island for lunch on our way out of town. Mom always gets a tuna salad sandwich and a fun little tchotchke, which today was two lawn ornaments made of old plates and saucers to look like flowers. </p>
<p>Dinner the first night was a bit awkward because it was a bit more fancy than we had expected or dressed for. Plus, I was in a slightly "melted" mood after having been in the sun all day and a less-than-stellar nap which really added to our popularity at the restaurant. No matter though because our server was rather enthusiastic about describing each item on the menu with great detail, down to where the orange garnish on Mom's Cosmopolitan came from and that it would be "the sweetest" one she's ever had (Mom reports that while it was very sweet, not THE sweetest. Touché). </p>
<p>Dinner on the second night was neat because the restaurant, MarVista, was right by a dock and we had the luck of seeing a few dolphins playing and jumping in the water! And they were delicious! (I'm chuckling now because you fell for that. Am I too cruel? Please forgive my dark humor!)  While my travel companions unceremoniously slurped their Piña Coladas, I delicately sipped my frozen Mango drink, which was "virgin" because I am a purist and see no need to contaminate my brilliant mind with silly-making spirits. We filled our bellies with fresh fish, oysters, crab legs and mussels and it was so good. </p>
<p>As you've probably gathered, we didn't do much other than play on the beach and eat, which made this Father's Day trip, quite simply, perfect.  Happy Father's Day!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipadJBVJVA8eKCnVoo0na9WxtIGUMgQw_FNzl6wuBGQOAra5CGg9lLQDZPrB1Wh1e3YEH9yOT4DlccaR5pA8tBEFLP4JekahFe3RlER5rqQ_fJANL7KAmeahb0DlnkEAWt7QvOMZHA3Fee/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9EJLMiXddi0YD4x6Ih94u_zeq-W7LiERVeaD69NZYfi_117O6fKdvnQ3UpeAZqxWcz3uLSvTG2QjeqPU0t6M9DIUasf95Lp4svVA-75fMftiowIw8Qqkhe_ez7yjFf7abhUp2O2y7tEi/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPv_IygucHdP_MJnkRX3EBzrHUZTPc1BwB7k1b8_PfZV0glhIdBpI8KpGocvcCmY5X6m9pY1LnN2hbucCsInSh9wuE2xpWsGSCNCOS6zF_ALentNlh6YW7jCAP4mhrfneffEHbxDVQ3js/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikokQzofc2_dapclkuOPB8qOMLt_hM_g75LeCQ5PgGesK6cSbjUC61os1s2_-xqnvwgi4mSX8ZbNfLfg8djnc1Imc8AOrVgD5ZPWe20FMZKxcHCyDF9YefrcqBaBb7vPIuDE62TCUsPFIk/' /></div>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-5691283798649267782010-05-10T19:36:00.000-07:002010-05-11T09:02:27.114-07:00It's been too long mey frieeeeends!<div style="text-align: left;">I am so very sorry for being away for so long. I could go on and on about all the reasons why, but let's just say there were new teeth, colds, a birthday and a very unproductive typist involved! But, as so much time has passed and there have a been a few travels since my Mexican adventure, I will try to summarize them into one post.</div><div><div><br />First, we joined Grandma M, Auntie Mimi and cousins Jon and Sammi for a week in Bonita Beach, FL for Christmas As this was my first Christmas celebration, I was unaware that it is somewhat unusual to spend this holiday at the beach with warm-ish weather. I do not understand this however because we had a lot of fun partaking in what I assume are typical Christmas activities like a mini-golf tournament, evening walks at sunset and going to the pool. Call me crazy, but I really think that all of these would have been much less exciting with cold snow blasting in your face in sub-zero temperatures.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY-J4W8_J2hzQ_1LxaWxQIMwyqIRWYIh7L6ytB7nqgEx0C63xo8OCvR_Dvofoal-s7V4nW-EdDAJJs4l2v3fXGaC1eZUXeyXRJkGMDYxEFjPuaSuf7zpijwmq7V2mqpZ02rjBSkpYhm-q/s1600/IMG_4172.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGY-J4W8_J2hzQ_1LxaWxQIMwyqIRWYIh7L6ytB7nqgEx0C63xo8OCvR_Dvofoal-s7V4nW-EdDAJJs4l2v3fXGaC1eZUXeyXRJkGMDYxEFjPuaSuf7zpijwmq7V2mqpZ02rjBSkpYhm-q/s320/IMG_4172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029018807671266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">1. Mini-golf is such a snooze. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FEMsgSOyrkQde3PNYMUA-dVGvk9nN2S-USuaiJNYd97XYIQAmjY2wjk9fn2iSVpGMYXWIHILWv3hddImeCptHWF6CpV8w8Tad6CzDTivPyF58zZ01MyrTG5o97VANCY56foMR2i2DxwH/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FEMsgSOyrkQde3PNYMUA-dVGvk9nN2S-USuaiJNYd97XYIQAmjY2wjk9fn2iSVpGMYXWIHILWv3hddImeCptHWF6CpV8w8Tad6CzDTivPyF58zZ01MyrTG5o97VANCY56foMR2i2DxwH/s320/IMG_4159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029009250608642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Sammi and her new friend, Brooke, heart the pool. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjQkNqooFLgBY4yjQ0WwzK50wATNHALRzpvH6oRGEeXBPnXfB3bo6PuvfxtzdZ53OIJ6kxF1VFefhm7JRIC9agxuvHAP4Zw7oj0pbwHknszdYvVkXQVFWp9WNvQHZywA-95uwkgKe3vK/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjQkNqooFLgBY4yjQ0WwzK50wATNHALRzpvH6oRGEeXBPnXfB3bo6PuvfxtzdZ53OIJ6kxF1VFefhm7JRIC9agxuvHAP4Zw7oj0pbwHknszdYvVkXQVFWp9WNvQHZywA-95uwkgKe3vK/s320/IMG_4050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470029003171776642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. The sand was kind of freaking me out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaMLwyB7p_IbZLHvM2S4o7w7z4czncukcFghrp-X1gRRu0vI-ZfaKV7mtfKLkeB4KFWf5zcfeqMaLZbtLa_-HV5lqS_93Dx7nyiw_K-O7ztyejPfocKydW85lzD6rMwsSo0YhlOB3Lt5N/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaMLwyB7p_IbZLHvM2S4o7w7z4czncukcFghrp-X1gRRu0vI-ZfaKV7mtfKLkeB4KFWf5zcfeqMaLZbtLa_-HV5lqS_93Dx7nyiw_K-O7ztyejPfocKydW85lzD6rMwsSo0YhlOB3Lt5N/s320/IMG_4053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470030466894434546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. The sand was still freaking me out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tGghUKcJl4aaifGFCg-IVLUsuylj_2r_za9rp5EUU6FTmJTawkLXMU0VlQuCE4HXI5OS284Iz4n50Xc2q8c7u4Ew5PRYQ5UKXpLtQorM3phYL8hOtLEm3KwQ8vqGMBA6ySMi1z5uGILU/s1600/IMG_4172.JPG"></a>And then, to top it all off, Santa himself came by our condo asking if we had seen his reindeer! I really wanted him to stay so I could play with his boots (those buckles are so big and shiny!) but i was a good samaritan and pointed him in the right direction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTaswn3OykYSPMBxmeq0IjhDj0BmrdH5ZiCdw9xgHFHOVF5QYyl7hoy_f7MGTKsAJCYGNEpEJ4iEhChlbc0tuN1lE6IyCq9KrJSvviImM4lg2gdy_tGPikGB6gv6o9sbjG0L5jS-4pWzj/s1600/IMG_4143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTaswn3OykYSPMBxmeq0IjhDj0BmrdH5ZiCdw9xgHFHOVF5QYyl7hoy_f7MGTKsAJCYGNEpEJ4iEhChlbc0tuN1lE6IyCq9KrJSvviImM4lg2gdy_tGPikGB6gv6o9sbjG0L5jS-4pWzj/s320/IMG_4143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469845872245076738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I saw them very clearly going off that way!</div><br />But on to our next Hurrah - which will actually be a schmorgas of my trip to Germany last May ('09) and then my German girlfriend's visit this March ('10). I must start by telling you that the trip Germany, when I was only a mere 4 months old, was not a holiday in the usual sense. We were there to scatter my Guapa Holger's (Grandpa) ashes in a ceremony for his family in Northern Germany. It was a somber time but certainly not without some good days spent with family and friends. We were in Hamburg (Altona), Lübeck (Stockelsdorf) and Schwerin (a former Eastern German city and prior to that, a Royal seat of the region).<br /><br />The first days were spent with Iso, Achim and my German girlfriend, Helen, who is one month younger than I and about as darling as a girl can be. We liked being driven around the city in our Kinderwagons and hanging out at their flat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoidMd2pCjPo3oHvijJme2CA4j6UsAXghrojGlCAdik2KF0z9Zs_SKuV9wBSFkcnm3YgOFil30yarza0ZAYKj-ZcUremmLJUYRv0WYWkxlx28bJfS90xF-sH-ziF9gcu_zjTRkI5g0wgm/s1600/IMG_3103.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoidMd2pCjPo3oHvijJme2CA4j6UsAXghrojGlCAdik2KF0z9Zs_SKuV9wBSFkcnm3YgOFil30yarza0ZAYKj-ZcUremmLJUYRv0WYWkxlx28bJfS90xF-sH-ziF9gcu_zjTRkI5g0wgm/s320/IMG_3103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470031345804303202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6bkOMHiNY6VK5qWj83WNf-4dJE2SpWqSKx85ivNMhr-7ofP7IPkZYAl0QXRmpXiAUy9ZijqIxvwqrG4ZrUY82OZV-P-bR_4imOPSBLe40y_EO3WOzX3-orPn-MUzQpHKOwIhP4m8_q_o/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div style="text-align: center; ">1. Helen is a bit camera shy, so I'm showing her how to ham it up for the photo.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk_YMHLFwhCJXy6pQOnALQucb5j8RWVK62V67b0AO073dyEQ3wPRvzNw1SHadYQsgNQoHZm2ubsv2bfQ0k7_qLHhTyLSNkF4ghMZNx_GJYE_7tLxDT64x-Ng-Qt2syyxb-8xfjeCaP775/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk_YMHLFwhCJXy6pQOnALQucb5j8RWVK62V67b0AO073dyEQ3wPRvzNw1SHadYQsgNQoHZm2ubsv2bfQ0k7_qLHhTyLSNkF4ghMZNx_GJYE_7tLxDT64x-Ng-Qt2syyxb-8xfjeCaP775/s320/IMG_3110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470031355338765154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Daddies and their wheels!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImdXLWKDiZknxTDB4LhbAyyRF4rJXZYFnMhuY8tpjm7Z5i3ssCVr3GvHwrC9y_aGUeT-Dn3CTZg7TaQiowGa_0ZaVg1DXX5VX1v__ZgH2upYw3k02fAEzGVlNQ0zmiSIthwj1ywutrBpB/s320/IMG_3116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470031364129795106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Happy new Mommies</div><div><br />Then we were off to Lübeck to be with my and Holger's family. We spent one day walking around Holger's hometown, Lübeck, and then a day in Schwerin, where gorgeous gardens with many different kinds of flowers and special artist's installations frame the beautiful castle. We were there with Uncle Klaus, Aunt Beate and Uncle Johannes as well as Grandma M, Auntie Mimi and cousin Jon. There was this wonderful thing called a Hüpfkissen (a hopping pillow) that we all jumped on. Well, I wasn't jumping because it was time for my afternoon nap and you know what a stickler I am for keeping my schedule or else I have a big fit and then no one is happy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDtdTOVA_bf5PxWPR_hbvVfy-gTfPyzVOClg5YFNtQsXq86P-Eg9SJjQgi6mR3TU5jidFaBCbt0aFrqxnnZE28RJ0ACGoXa4BezXy2UlK5Q_ePNKQAYogIUDOpOOSpbRhzF9JSbU6IhQJ/s1600/IMG_3126.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDtdTOVA_bf5PxWPR_hbvVfy-gTfPyzVOClg5YFNtQsXq86P-Eg9SJjQgi6mR3TU5jidFaBCbt0aFrqxnnZE28RJ0ACGoXa4BezXy2UlK5Q_ePNKQAYogIUDOpOOSpbRhzF9JSbU6IhQJ/s320/IMG_3126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469852442897984018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Don't they look like gingerbread houses? Lübeck from a church tower.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA0rOQGw5LbxPG-P0Xgs79KqJn99iI1ewvF_NaYlvscw-4POIX0Aw-UJbR_JvS559k06odRbGZvf9fv5YRTSUKReil2EgO-WgfI_tTXrkctWvd6gbuQq82DOfkOv5ZPeel1bx6CcsfTDh/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA0rOQGw5LbxPG-P0Xgs79KqJn99iI1ewvF_NaYlvscw-4POIX0Aw-UJbR_JvS559k06odRbGZvf9fv5YRTSUKReil2EgO-WgfI_tTXrkctWvd6gbuQq82DOfkOv5ZPeel1bx6CcsfTDh/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469852449148521170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Uncles Johannes and Klaus hüpfing it up!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzwHZz2DybAjxbKW1xpKxqeg5SdFZDMEbo6iQDBl82uTbwFh3PIZYd8PHAM9C1W6h4Wxdnv7OqSA77xmUoOa2HPuclpcDfs6cE_nVyMcmrnhJ5RY7-TYu8HRNHLM9KgM9eINv6qJobREu/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzwHZz2DybAjxbKW1xpKxqeg5SdFZDMEbo6iQDBl82uTbwFh3PIZYd8PHAM9C1W6h4Wxdnv7OqSA77xmUoOa2HPuclpcDfs6cE_nVyMcmrnhJ5RY7-TYu8HRNHLM9KgM9eINv6qJobREu/s320/IMG_3178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469852454771822994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Family and flowers make me happy.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3a36Z6L5z4Mgc0fECuh9_dgY-4RoJms2ub1uiAIm4O-gaa43EqI7qn648GM5pjCJ61VGBu_f5ZSnJfIgfuT68lEZxqn78Ggoiyj_O-3oTiOlcntjztbRT9PMiT2ZdvK9YCKC_Ev0dSj7/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3a36Z6L5z4Mgc0fECuh9_dgY-4RoJms2ub1uiAIm4O-gaa43EqI7qn648GM5pjCJ61VGBu_f5ZSnJfIgfuT68lEZxqn78Ggoiyj_O-3oTiOlcntjztbRT9PMiT2ZdvK9YCKC_Ev0dSj7/s320/IMG_3190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469852461585001090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. The Schwerin castle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7hKHUFHJxDT4NjJIcx1F6OGgJgiBxdCOV_eOPWfi0vTm3MHv8b9RkrOHyhtGBh0cGzLJ-UzMa_XJsbxrHqQCk0lICRqVseshHlZPOHy7yWwiaQyMofnN-n03Si1VqQdYZXoR_ryNqMGj/s1600/IMG_3206.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7hKHUFHJxDT4NjJIcx1F6OGgJgiBxdCOV_eOPWfi0vTm3MHv8b9RkrOHyhtGBh0cGzLJ-UzMa_XJsbxrHqQCk0lICRqVseshHlZPOHy7yWwiaQyMofnN-n03Si1VqQdYZXoR_ryNqMGj/s320/IMG_3206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470032259079576562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Not only were there amazing flowers, but there was also a tribute to Salzkartoffeln (boiled salt potatoes) that featured the herbs that are typically cooked with the taters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJnlcRQXqZX0UdM0PIzT3CN9sz_55stovNlcosdZ84XNakrP8P_Dcn6OsQ5J5GVZc-wgb4KRkJ7mMKysi1js72AOd2rbu68FLmxswiZurkkDDqzwm_pvZkJN2vQBk-m6sW2McHCvi1oS6/s320/IMG_3205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470032265665537010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day was one of mixed emotions. We began the morning at Oma Lore and Opa Hans' house with my Dedication ceremony that was performed by long-time family friends and pastors, Mary and Alfred. My travel companions, Mommy and Daddy, made a promise before our family and God to raise me in the Christian church and hopefully lead me to choose to be baptized when I am able to make that decision for myself. The ceremony was done in English by Mary and in German by Alfred, and I was so pleased to share this moment with my German family, so that's pretty special!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6b91c58KJH3Yz-6_Vvj_ruPk0VF1OpleUFRgdxwM13JOkbFV-dLQIFiw-4Y7ckINN2rfSM0YcmfyA52FkB69oWpH0xOpbZjOAWEfwdZiVdzDiWt6yzDTTOc1CTmQaKpaG236xqQ6-tvo/s1600/IMG_3219.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6b91c58KJH3Yz-6_Vvj_ruPk0VF1OpleUFRgdxwM13JOkbFV-dLQIFiw-4Y7ckINN2rfSM0YcmfyA52FkB69oWpH0xOpbZjOAWEfwdZiVdzDiWt6yzDTTOc1CTmQaKpaG236xqQ6-tvo/s320/IMG_3219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470036450682896082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Pastor Mary & Alfred gave a very nice ceremony.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8RrTb6GLFDXQmqC63_F3tGC0segP2UQn7CQcylfDW8zeEPNLK2G5KRzswa2LkrMROw7y-i9JBgwAAraex82CNuC-7Jk-MT_rw7lNSDCN1sVDMr3-h_BnoKjSVmEqHn1dIwy8BTUt3Vol/s1600/IMG_3222.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8RrTb6GLFDXQmqC63_F3tGC0segP2UQn7CQcylfDW8zeEPNLK2G5KRzswa2LkrMROw7y-i9JBgwAAraex82CNuC-7Jk-MT_rw7lNSDCN1sVDMr3-h_BnoKjSVmEqHn1dIwy8BTUt3Vol/s320/IMG_3222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470036465651578290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Sharing a moment with Oma HanneLore and Pastor Alfred.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPQHfbfEEwKBbOudPyfGlaNVu5k6m5fOlt4zac4jiggmeRVUBmCbhwIDRwNknmfSbGjOPq3CSkcPn2O0Xt0IndBBsijU7HItS6MhxAGBdRIUhJvGNUm_F5Sj5fv5f14Leewz4R0dg97RQ/s1600/IMG_3233.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPQHfbfEEwKBbOudPyfGlaNVu5k6m5fOlt4zac4jiggmeRVUBmCbhwIDRwNknmfSbGjOPq3CSkcPn2O0Xt0IndBBsijU7HItS6MhxAGBdRIUhJvGNUm_F5Sj5fv5f14Leewz4R0dg97RQ/s320/IMG_3233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470036457427330226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. It's not a dress, it's a traditional Christening gown and I think I looked rather dapper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later we all drove to a small harbor village, Niendorf, on the Baltic and boarded a boat from which we released "Guapa" Holger's ashes in a urn adorned with flowers into the sea. Even though I never had the chance to meet him, I know there will always be a place in my heart that loves and misses him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">((more to come))</div></div></div></div>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-9057700539667578612009-10-21T19:29:00.001-07:002009-10-21T20:26:18.982-07:00We should do this more oftenLast weekend we packed up the car and headed to Raleigh, N.C. to meet up with my Grandpa C and all of his kids, their spouses and their kids and go to the State Fair. It was A LOT of sun spending time together as one bid family. I got to play with all the kids and with my Aunties and Uncles, too! <br /><br />We arrived around 3pm Friday afternoon and got to see Auntie M and her kids, Sammi & J at the pool. I wanted to join them, but there wasn’t time before we had to go get ready to go to The Angus Barn for dinner. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4033047285_41e29e07fe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4033047285_41e29e07fe.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Me, Grandpa C, J, LA and Sammi<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/4033048033_9e3c21f867.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/4033048033_9e3c21f867.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I had a lot of fun playing with Auntie M.<br /><br />I understand the food was AMAZING from all of the “mmm-ing” I heard that night. Mommy had Rack of Lamb and Daddy had bacon wrapped steak and crab claws. The big kids got to go back to the kitchen to pick out their own ice cream and toppings! Auntie M said it was really neat to see the working kitchen – she said she felt like one of the guys from “Goodfellas.” We topped the night off by sharing three desserts: Chocolate Chess Pie, Blackberry Cobbler and a Grand Marnier Parfait that made for more mmm-ing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/4033155171_6b69573ca2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2492/4033155171_6b69573ca2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Everybody at the mall<br /><br />The next day we had breakfast with a scattering of family members, Grandpa C and Aunt S, who is pregnant with twins! I’m so excited that there’ll be more cousins for me to play with! Then we packed up and headed off to Crabtree Valley Mall where we ate some good kabobs, took a family photo and bummed around a few stores until it was time to head back to the hotel for a quick nap before the main event: The Fair!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4033155201_d68863b4bd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4033155201_d68863b4bd.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Me & my wacky travel companions<br /><br />The fair was so much fun, despite the chilly weather and the crazy crowds. There was one point where it literally took us 20 minutes to move through a gridlock of people who were apparently all either trying to get some of the fried specialty foods (oreos, ho-hos, bacon, to name a few) and the line to get into the tractor pull event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4033155189_1be521ec16_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 604px; height: 453px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4033155189_1be521ec16_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/4033802898_61183971d4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/4033802898_61183971d4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Hanging out with false Mickey and Minnie<br /><br />The whole thing was pretty thrilling; from the loud tractor pull engines to the smells from the food vendors to the whirling lights atop of the ‘Scrambler.” There were some stressful moments when we lost track of each other (not me personally!) but I think we all went home with smiles from having this rare chance to hang out and fun with each other! The next morning I had more playtime with Auntie Lexi, Uncle Bob and cousin Ian - once in our hotel room and then again later we met up at Concord Mills in Charlotte. So cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4033806470_b83d98040e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4033806470_b83d98040e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It definitely makes me wish we all lived closer to each other, but I guess the point is that we love each other enough to make the time to come together and enjoy each other when we can.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4033048805_51cb4a8620.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4033048805_51cb4a8620.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Me showing off ~ I'm wearing shoes for the first time! <span style="font-style:italic;">Until next time my friends!</span>Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167119520581155239.post-6741970908728298572009-10-12T16:55:00.000-07:002009-10-12T18:19:25.776-07:00Welcome......to the blog of the most interesting baby in the world! Coen is a 7 month old jet-setter who has asked me to document his travels for your enjoyment.<br /><br />Hello my friends and fellow wanderers - I was born with a need to move so I could see, touch and drool on everything. My curiosity is being happily satisfied via my current count of 14 flights which included a few trips to see Grandma Marilyn on Cape Cod and 2 passport stamps to Germany & Mexico and look forward to more!<br /><br />My most recent travels took me to Cancun, Mexico for the wedding of my two close <span style="font-style:italic;">Amigos</span>, Reena and Chirag. Our departure was initally fraught with complications due to an unfortunate lack of a suitcase in the car belonging certain person, whom we will call "Mommy." However, thanks to some quick thinking and searching on the internet while in the car, the problem was fixed and my travel companions and I were on our way.<br /><br />Speaking of travel companions, let me introduce you to them, the aforementioned Mommy and there is also "Daddy." They have other names, but I like to give the people I love pet names and I thought these would be appropriate for their characters and would also be original, no? Mommy is a lovely woman with hair that is not long enough for me to easily try to rip from her head and Daddy is funny with a constant smell of coffee coming out of the strange hole in his face that I like to stick my slobbery hand inside of. We all enjoy each other's company and love to make time to see the world, as well as have snuggle sessions.<br /><br />Where was I? Ah yes, Cancun. We arrived at the Fiesta Americana Condesa after dark Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 and enjoyed a great meal with Reena, Chirag, their families and some friends before going to bed. We were wowed when we looked outside of our window to see a bright moon dancing over the very near ocean with palm trees swaying to the sound of the waves crashing. But it had been a long day so we promptly went to bed in anticipation of our first trip to a tropical region!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005424091/" title="Hi Lata! by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4005424091_49d12371da.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Hi Lata!" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Playing with Reena's Mom, Lata</span><br /><br />Thursday we became acquainted with the area by taking a stroll along the <span style="font-style:italic;">Zona Hotelera</span> to the Banamex to pick up the Dinero we had wired to ourselves - a little tip we'd gotten from Daddy's <span style="font-style:italic;">Amigos</span> at work. We popped into a convenience store where we were likely ripped off for tylenol, a cuban and because Mommy and Daddy were feeling silly, a bottle of Boone's Strawberry Dairquiri. We took a local's advice and took the city bus back to our hotel for the bargain price of 150 pesos. It was fun but we were glad it was a short ride.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006194220/" title="the original fun with mesh by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/4006194220_89f9ea0b01.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="the original fun with mesh" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Playing with the mesh while Mommy & Daddy cool off with a drink of Boone's</span><br /><br />After returning to the room to cool off and have a sip of Boone's, we took a taxi driven by a man who calls himself "El Penguino" to a restaurant called La Parilla. It was really fun for me because I was not strapped into a car seat. Mommy and Daddy felt like they must've lost their minds to do this but what's the point of a car seat when there are no seatbelts to connect it to? The trip to the restaurant was interesting - there were so many different parts of Cancun, from super rich to very run down. Also the traffic itself was a trip with some roads being three lanes across but with no lines to tell where the lanes were. I suppose where you are on the road is up for interpretation, and there were many different interpretations, to be sure.<br /><br />I am told the food at the restaurant was good and the margaritas were yummy. I am currently on a mostly liquid diet - for health reasons, you understand. I always love to make a good time even more special and that day I felt it would be a fun idea to have such a blow out that I had to have my clothes removed! It was a real party, let me tell you. We had planned to stroll around the area after lunch but considering the lack of navigable sidewalks and my being nearly naked, we opted to return to the hotel for a dip in the pool. Here's a photo of our taxi ride back to the hotel.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005432059/" title="yup. naked baby in taxi by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4005432059_ff584c8cbe.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="yup. naked baby in taxi" /></a><br /><br /><br />We topped off the afternoon by dipping our feet in the amazing clear ocean and taking a dip in the pool and having fun with the underwater camera case. Here are some pictures:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006199566/" title="my boys by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/4006199566_353f0b0a4e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="my boys" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006200796/" title="underwater camera awesomeness by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/4006200796_25aeb48770.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="underwater camera awesomeness" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005437101/" title="underwater camera awesomeness by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4005437101_db27cefb4e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="underwater camera awesomeness" /></a><br /><br /><br />After such a busy day, I decided to turn in at 6:00 p.m. so Mommy and Daddy ordered room service. But of course, after such a wonderful sleep, I awoke promptly at 5:00 a.m. Mommy and Daddy were so happy to be awake so early that Friday morning! After another tasty breakfast at Kalmia, one of the hotel's 3 restaurants, we jumped in a taxi to Puerto Juarez to hop on the UltraMar ferry to Isla Mujeres.<br /><br />The ferry trip was nice because it was air conditioned and quick. Mommy was amused by the man who informed us that the ferry runs "34/7" but then she quickly checked herself knowing how much she's been butchering the Spanish language. Ah, but I don't think it's wrong to have a harmless chuckle as long as you're willing to also laugh at yourself! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006206290/" title="Ashtrays that were made by "my mother" by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/4006206290_fa0f0e4400.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ashtrays that were made by "my mother"" /></a><br /><br />Once we landed, we got into another taxi that wound up taking us only about 10 blocks because we didn't realize that our first stop to the shops on Av. Hidalgo was so close. We bummed around the stores, looking at mostly the same things in almost every shop and having the shopkeeps try to coax us into their store with promises of "everything cheaper" and "we just open - you will be our first sale!" Mommy wondered if people really believe the lady who told her, "my mother make all of this" while pointing to hundreds of ashtrays. In the end we did buy a few things, a Dias de los Muertos style ceramic skull, a traditional peasant blouse for Mommy, some gifts and some colorful overalls for me. Mommy bargained so well that the guy muttered "Tu Madre" as we walked away. I don't know what that means, but I am pretty sure it was a compliment!<br /><br />We saw a wonderful cemetery that had amazing decorations. I hope it was okay for us to take pictures - we certainly meant no disrespect!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006207030/" title="Cemetry on Isla Mujeres by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/4006207030_79e9541b0b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Cemetry on Isla Mujeres" /></a><br /><br />We had lunch at <a href="http://www.hollyeats.com/ReneRenee.htm">Rene & Renee'</a>s where, according to a note taped to the door that was written by a couple from New Jersey, is the "Best Food on the Island." There was a Grandpa-type who ran the place and played with me while Mommy and Daddy ate mixed seafood tacos and drank home-made limeade that really took the egde off the sweltering heat outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005446459/" title="At Rene & Renee's by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/4005446459_077eb9d2a6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="At Rene & Renee's" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005446933/" title="At Rene & Renee's by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/4005446933_31811e5430.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="At Rene & Renee's" /></a><br /><br />Afterwards we got into another taxi and went to Tortugranja, which was a turtle museum but was a bit disappointing. It was worth it for the little baby turtles though - they were so cute and were my favorite! The same taxi guy came back for us and took us to a temple for the Goddess<span style="font-style:italic;"> Ixchel</span> where there were sculptures, amazing views and Daddy got a conch shell horn and a <span style="font-style:italic;">Cocos Frios</span>. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005447749/" title="Car seat, car schmeat by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/4005447749_effea77c61.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Car seat, car schmeat" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006214966/" title="Coen LOVED the little baby turtles by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/4006214966_5a0a1a9244.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Coen LOVED the little baby turtles" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005450179/" title="Hi crustacean! by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/4005450179_1e8b7ce40a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Hi crustacean!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005451613/" title="IMG_3835 by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/4005451613_11f5681159.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_3835" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005454005/" title="IMG_3846 by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/4005454005_0ebcd1e2c2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3846" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005454851/" title="IMG_3848 by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/4005454851_5db5d525aa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3848" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006221084/" title="Ruins are a snooze by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/4006221084_f29738e067.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Ruins are a snooze" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006223462/" title="Coco Frio! by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/4006223462_ab20bb1e1d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Coco Frio!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005459221/" title="Jon enjoying his Coco Frio and Conch horn by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/4005459221_f65ae9f679.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Jon enjoying his Coco Frio and Conch horn" /></a><br /><br />After all that I was exhausted, so we made our way back to the hotel to cool off and get dressed for Reena & Chirag's welcome dinner. I got to wear my brand new overalls and looked quite dapper, if I do say so myself!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4006231994/" title="isla mujeres overalls by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4006231994_f26bfc022c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="isla mujeres overalls" /></a><br /><br />The dinner was a lot of fun for the 10 minutes I was there before Daddy had to take me back to the room because I needed to go to sleep, for health reasons, you understand. Daddy was awsome to stay with me so Mommy could party and Mommy was awesome to bring Daddy a plate of food and some drinkies. The party ended with Reena & Chirag's families doing a celebratory Gujarati dance called Garba. Mommy tried to do it but was fairly unsuccessful!<br /><br />The next day was the special day: Reena & Chirag's wedding! Daddy and I had a little time in the morning while Mommy was helping with last-minute preparations, so we went to the Flea Market and bought some more gifty things. We went back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding and check in with Mommy one more time before she ran off to be in the wedding. Daddy wore a tie with elephants because we'd heard they were good luck and I wore a <span style="font-style:italic;">Kurta Pyjama</span> that Mommy bought for me at <a href="http://www.miragesareesatlanta.com/index.html">Mirage Sarees</a> (I don't know why it's spelled with a double "E" but it is).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kat-i-e/4005468725/" title="IMG_3884 by Kat(i)e, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/4005468725_5f1ae90ff5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3884" /></a><br /><br />The wedding was wonderful. There were a few moments that could be easily taken as metaphors for marriage and family. The most obvious one being the dark cloud that came right over the wedding and nearly blew the <span style="font-style:italic;">Mandap</span> right off the stage if several family members didn't jump into action and hold it down. It made me think of how important the love and support of our families is.<br /><br />And then there was the fire, which was respesented by a candle in a hurricane. Someone put a small plate on top of the hurricane to keep the candle from blowing out I suppose, but slowly the candle started to die out from a lack of oxygen. Happily, someone tilted the plate and the candle flame recovered! This made me think of how love can sometimes fade, but if we pay attention and nurture it, love will always come back full force!<br /><br />The reception that followed was so much fun: there was fun dancing and music, great speeches and even a professional drumming band with a fire-dancer! I'm told people even jumped into the pool at the end of the night, including one of the Aunties (senior women of the family). It was a great trip and Mommy and Daddy actually made it to the airport just in time the next day. We were all happy to be in our own beds, but sad that we couldn't hear the crashing waves outside our window any longer.<br /><br />Till next time my friends!Kat(i)ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12731653206434512009noreply@blogger.com1