News for today's 2018

Down with a cold...Merry Christmas to me

10:39 AM Tukiyooo 0

I've had a sore throat for four days, with a few sneezes here and there, so I thought maybe it was an allergy to something. Well, it turns out I was coming down with a nasty cold. Today I have it full force and it is not fun. Maybe that's why I've been so tired these last few days. Yesterday I forced myself to clean the house, top to bottom, to prepare for putting up the Christmas decorations. It was a miserable day. Between coughing and sneezing I managed to get the hardwood floors sparkling, all the clutter cleared away to make room for Christmas clutter, then by 7pm I literally fell into bed. I was exhausted. There's still not a single Christmas decoration up, instead we have bare spaces everywhere. It sort of looks like no one lives here. I kind of like that look. I was super annoyed last night when I discovered we were out of NyQuil. Not totally out, there was about a teaspoon left in the bottle. Then I remembered my husband had a bad cold a few months ago and lived on NyQuil for about three days. He never mentioned we needed to pick up some more. I still slept twelve hours, even without the NyQuil. Plans for today are to make some chicken noodle soup, a Weight Watcher recipe. Next I'll watch movies in bed and maybe, if I'm up to it, write my third Christmas card (I wrote a second one yesterday). Yes, I'm really moving along on this Christmas thing. My best friend that is also on vacation at home this week and is also down with a cold, and who loves Christmas like no one you know, told me yesterday maybe she could just sleep through Christmas this year. She said "it'll be over in two weeks, and I could easily sleep for two weeks, then it would be all over". Talk about two Scrooges! No gym yesterday, but I was working up a sweat from cleaning house (or maybe that was a fever). No gym today either. I sort of hurt everywhere, and I don't really feel like working out. Maybe tomorrow.

Down with a cold...Merry Christmas to me

I've had a sore throat for four days, with a few sneezes here and there, so I thought maybe it was an allergy to something. Well, it tur...

Wordless Wednesday

4:53 AM Tukiyooo 0

Wordless Wednesday

24 Days

9:32 PM Tukiyooo 0

I'm on vacation from work, 24 glorious days. Days of doing what I want, when I want and how I want. Twenty four days of having total control of my life. I could get use to living like this. I don't have any plans for this time, just time at home, relaxing, taking it easy. Some of my coworkers consider this a waste of vacation time. I consider it something I really needed for myself. Some quiet time . The problem is that I feel like I'm wasting time. I'm four days into my vacation and although I'm loving doing nothing, I still have things I need to do, and for some reason, I'm not doing them. Christmas shopping, Christmas cards and decorating the house are at the top of my list. Yet each day I tell myself I don't feel like it today, maybe tomorrow. My husband says it's post-traumatic stress from months of long hours at work, and that I'm tired from trying to meet what seemed like impossible deadlines. He keeps telling me I deserve a break. Maybe he's right, or maybe I'm just lazy. Regardless, I've decided to set a schedule for myself tomorrow. A flexible one, but one where I have to get at least a few things done. I wrote out one Christmas card today. That was my big accomplishment (and the gym, always the gym). It also occurred to me this would be a great time to do the <a href="http://www.daytwenty.com/index.html">Twenty Day</a> experiment. I've been following <a href="http://gravelandrust.blogspot.com/">Roxie</a> doing it and it sounds sort of fun. It just happens I have 20 days left of my vacation, a perfect time to do this experiment. Exercise and Food I've rediscovered Pomegranates. They're at the peak right now, and I absolutely love them. They keep my hands busy for a good 45 minutes, eating them one arils (juice/seed sacs) at a time. The only issue I'm having with them is that Weight Watchers now has the zero Points for fruits rule. So that makes Pomegranates, well, zero Points. One big Pomegranate (4" in diameter) is 234 calories. I know these are healthy calories, but still, they are calories. Just for fun I entered the nutritional information (fat 3.4, protein 4.7, carbs  52.7 and fiber 11.3) into the PointsPlus calculator online and the Pomegranate (if fruit had Points) would be 6 Points. I know this isn't how the new plan works, and I'm not suppose to think of fruit having Points, but you know what I'm thinking. I could gain weight on Pomegranates if I ate enough of them. Exercise was good today. 10 minutes on the crosstrainer for my warmup and then a hard push on the StairMaster for 30 minutes. There was an old guy on the one next to me and I think we were having a competition. He looked like he was about 70 and he was really going to town, taking two steps to my one (and my average step rate is 67 steps per minute). Although he was leaning heavily on the front railing (a no-no to proper form on the StairMaster). I also got in 40 minutes of weight lifting, upper body. Tomorrow...Day One of Twenty.

24 Days

I'm on vacation from work, 24 glorious days. Days of doing what I want, when I want and how I want. Twenty four days of having total con...

The Artful Nostalgia of Richard Amsel

8:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYFDgVVd5aZpZ0uoBVd02eADUSqNGiyabB0dKPiUdj2dNHIS3kLANt2dpVSMe9EYqAhxH6UMkBiCkO5nyus5g1ReZXhhluFNn7bOVJGeh1owpqCl7eZDe2JWMfBr4E_FamD90HHO7B0j1/s1600/amsel+chinatown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYFDgVVd5aZpZ0uoBVd02eADUSqNGiyabB0dKPiUdj2dNHIS3kLANt2dpVSMe9EYqAhxH6UMkBiCkO5nyus5g1ReZXhhluFNn7bOVJGeh1owpqCl7eZDe2JWMfBr4E_FamD90HHO7B0j1/s400/amsel+chinatown.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinatown movie poster</td></tr></tbody></table>Richard Amsel was a prolific graphic artist and illustrator who created some of the most indelible images of the '70s and '80s. Born on December 4, 1947, he was raised near Philadelphia, in the west side suburb of Ardmore where his parents owned a toy store. An artistic prodigy from early youth, he graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1965; he had been Art Editor of the school yearbook. He went on to attend the Philadelphia College of Art and stood out among his classmates there. Some have suggested that Amsel's precocious talent intimidated even his art instructors at the college. While still in art school, he won a poster art contest for the Barbra Streisand film, Hello Dolly (1968). His career took off as a result... he was just 21 years old. Richard Amsel went on to create a series of magazine ads for designer Oleg Cassini, illustrated movie posters and developed a long association with TV Guide magazine. In addition, he created the art for Time Magazine's Lily Tomlin cover in 1975. <a name='more'></a> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vGlwoRFwro19yMpOx2Meqq8eG5bHDjuWiEuaRoheyNxK8OGnDUC75244g1WjkYAXe5gS2u_hzPzq3RDOFb4hDKL_l-rqbvnNBbhZElQj1C6L52vkN5KGta1LQS-_3_2OpsUCnBZbJi4P/s1600/amsel+midler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vGlwoRFwro19yMpOx2Meqq8eG5bHDjuWiEuaRoheyNxK8OGnDUC75244g1WjkYAXe5gS2u_hzPzq3RDOFb4hDKL_l-rqbvnNBbhZElQj1C6L52vkN5KGta1LQS-_3_2OpsUCnBZbJi4P/s320/amsel+midler.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Divine Miss M album cover</td></tr></tbody></table>His illustrations for RCA's remastered recordings of Benny Goodman and some of the label's other catalog artists caught the eye of Barry Manilow, then accompanist for about-to-emerge Bette Midler. Manilow introduced the singer to the artist and Amsel ended up creating the cover art for Midler's debut album, The Divine Miss M, as well as some of her later albums and posters. His best known movie posters were for classic films of the '70s and '80s and include The Last Picture Show (1971), The Sting (1973), Chinatown (1974), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Shootist (1976) and, perhaps most famous of all, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK6Rbt5u8fAND9Odf1450PZDjJkhMBDnNYULVbgVNYd_KgJ3yGeH6D4MvuINMkFqLSr29ShyhjkwWY6gVATAiOFQED9bxkbxhiV7ftge4IFX2XWreDqcjv2Rfx8EVsNuSBEGUxCaDLX2B/s1600/Amsel+hepburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK6Rbt5u8fAND9Odf1450PZDjJkhMBDnNYULVbgVNYd_KgJ3yGeH6D4MvuINMkFqLSr29ShyhjkwWY6gVATAiOFQED9bxkbxhiV7ftge4IFX2XWreDqcjv2Rfx8EVsNuSBEGUxCaDLX2B/s200/Amsel+hepburn.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katharine Hepburn/TV Guide</td></tr></tbody></table>Richard Amsel's relationship with TV Guide began in 1972 when he was commissioned to do a portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to coincide with a TV movie about them. He created a total of 37 covers for the magazine over the next 13 years. Some of the most well known (and there are many) - "Shogun," Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh when Gone with the Wind debuted on television, Ingrid Bergman as Golda Meier, Katharine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Princess Grace of Monaco, Lucille Ball, the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and "Miami Vice." Amsel's last cover for TV Guide was of the three network news anchormen, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqi9CEc5WbNP6zZSM9obBO4RlUHFLmgGuISfuKZMkHPgaHtuTLLuqOyJoQA-psAcZLXmFSio8lasIYsIQjgntjUqrLBtJ2Dibo5JXu2ExlgwDtvBUMhHx3VnfzLvAFeKJa36OOHjZaVd7/s1600/Amsel_GWTW_full_art%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqi9CEc5WbNP6zZSM9obBO4RlUHFLmgGuISfuKZMkHPgaHtuTLLuqOyJoQA-psAcZLXmFSio8lasIYsIQjgntjUqrLBtJ2Dibo5JXu2ExlgwDtvBUMhHx3VnfzLvAFeKJa36OOHjZaVd7/s320/Amsel_GWTW_full_art%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone with the Wind/TV Guide</td></tr></tbody></table> Amsel's stylistic influences were diverse, among them - Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha and Walt Disney. An Associated Press reporter of the time observed that his "portraits pay homage to the nostalgia of old Hollywood, often through the groovy lens of the Age of Aquarius, while still managing to look contemporary..." About his own work, Amsel said, "I'm interested in uncovering relationships between the past and present and in discovering how things have changed and grown. I don't see any point in copying the past, but I think the elements of the past can be taken to another realm." <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Richard Amsel died just three weeks before his 38th birthday in November 1985, a victim of AIDS. <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To learn more about Amsel's illustrative art, <a href="http://adammcdaniel.com/RichardAmsel.htm">click here</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSippn2CiY3fZF5RRfvZUN0OhCd06II-5QdlZ8SZBjJg3Mu402hi-hcYvgmbLAe_4BtM2QbetxXUaaoveBP3e-47OO2Ng4cOf2U1vuMVBB6dz62nuhA1XBm7cHSYjaI4Yl073QzE4ey7k/s1600/amsel+ark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSippn2CiY3fZF5RRfvZUN0OhCd06II-5QdlZ8SZBjJg3Mu402hi-hcYvgmbLAe_4BtM2QbetxXUaaoveBP3e-47OO2Ng4cOf2U1vuMVBB6dz62nuhA1XBm7cHSYjaI4Yl073QzE4ey7k/s400/amsel+ark.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raiders of the Lost Ark movie poster</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div> <div style="text-align: left;">As I was preparing to post this piece about Richard Amsel, I realized its timeliness - December is AIDS Awareness Month.</div>

Chinatown movie poster Richard Amsel was a prolific graphic artist and illustrator who created some of the most indelible images of the '...

Planning de la semaine du 13 au 17 décembre 2010

6:26 AM Anonymous 0

<h2>Permanences </h2><ul> <li>Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 13 décembre de 9h à 12h30, - le mardi 14 décembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h, - le mercredi 15 décembre de 13h30 à 17h, - le jeudi 16 décembre de 13h30 à 17h, - le vendredi 17 décembre de 13h30 à 17h. <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/01/egee-nouveau-partenaire-la-maison-de.html">EGEE</a> - lundi 13 décembre de 13h30 à 17h (sur rendez-vous) <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a> - mercredi 15 décembre de 10h à 12h30 <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a> - vendredi 17 décembre de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous) </ul> <h2>Ateliers </h2> <ul><li>CV - mardi 14 décembre de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 15 décembre de 13h30 à 17h <li>Lettre de Motivation - mardi 14 décembre de 13h30 à 17h au PIJ de Saint-Cyr-en-Val - Square des Jumelages - Saint-Cyr-en-Val <li>Préparation à l'entretien - jeudi 16 décembre de 13h30 à 17h <li>Pôle-emploi.fr - vendredi 17 décembre de 10h à 11h30 <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a> - vendredi 17 décembre de 14h à 16h</ul> <h2>Information collective </h2> <ul><li>RSA - Conseil Général - mardi 14 décembre à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 13 au 17 décembre 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 13 dé...

Saturday's weighin and a fear of stairs

2:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

Saturday, December 10, 2010 Weigh-in:  177.8 Loss for the week:  -0.8 Total loss since 2/9/2008:  -61.4 I'm not very happy with myself about such a minor loss, but at least it's a loss. I'm still on track for my goal of losing an average of 1.5 pounds per week. I lost 2.2 pounds the previous week, and with this .8 that's three pounds in two weeks. Not the numbers I want, but the numbers I earned (through lack of discipline). Even though I vowed to stop eating what <a href="http://doingaone-eighty.blogspot.com/">Helen</a> refers to "Franken Food" (love that phrase), I somehow managed to eat an entire package of Skinny Cows at FOUR Points each. In one day! That was just one incident that led to such a small weight loss. I had a few others. It's a new day, a new week, new plan. This week will be better. I promise! The Big Climb I'm starting to realize what I got myself into by agreeing to do the <a href="http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/BigClimb/80333160?pg=team&fr_id=1160&team_id=34330">Big Climb</a>, 69 flights of stairs at the Columbia Center in Seattle on March 20, 2011. I watched some videos on YouTube about it and frankly my dear, I'm a little bit scared of what I've committed to. It appears to be a young, very physically fit person's sport. I looked at the race results for last year and the oldest person was an eighty year old woman. She completed the race in 35 minutes. My 50-year old coworker completed it in 15 minutes last year. Of course I'm not going into this as a race, but I want decent results. As the team captain for our work group I want to do a good job. So far I have 30 people that have agreed to do this with me as part of our corporate team, and I only announced it last Tuesday. At the encouragement of my coworker I signed our team up as a timed team, meaning we'll have the little chip in our shoes for the timing. I've found all kinds of articles online about stair climbing as a sport. Tips on stair climbing techniques, workouts, and what you should wear (gloves with rubber pads on the fingers, running shoes not cross trainers). The workouts I've seen are tough, focusing not just on the quads and the glutes, but the arms and shoulders (you use the railings to pull yourself up), and the core (apparently a strong core is crucial). In other words, I have a lot of work to do. No more non-structured workouts where I do what I want. I have to add in some exercises that will strengthen the areas I've been ignoring, like my core and abs. As I've mentioned many times, I hate lower body workouts, like squats and lunges. I do them, but half-hearted. Sometimes on lower body workout days (three a week), I decide I'm not in the mood and double up on my cardio. Since these are areas I need to really focus on, I have to really get serious about my workouts. The other thing I need to get serious about is losing my 20 pounds. This is really critical. There's no way I can climb 69 flights at my current weight of 177.8 pounds. That's too heavy. I have to get under 160. The closer I can get to 155 the better. I have exactly fourteen weeks from today. If I can continue the 1.5 pounds lost per week, I could lose the 20 pounds. I really need to stay focused. I don't want March 20 to come and I feel scared and defeated before I even start the climb. I have a lot of work ahead of me. By the way, if anyone wants to donate to the Big Climb click <a href="http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/BigClimb/80333160?pg=team&fr_id=1160&team_id=34330">here</a>. Even a $5 gift would be appreciated. All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your tax deductible donation helps in the fight against blood cancers.

Saturday's weighin and a fear of stairs

Saturday, December 10, 2010 Weigh-in: 177.8 Loss for the week: -0.8 Total loss since 2/9/2008: -61.4 I'm not very happy with myself...

Participez à un forum d'échanges sur la gestion RH inter-entreprises

6:35 AM Anonymous 0

<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'> <tr > <td width=915 valign=top style='width:686.0pt;border:solid white 3.0pt; background:white;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:118.3pt'> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qDQtf_fOl06n_dAyMpskg-hucYANKPZgQDhyjfSlNE9NXCqqAtGyMuDaWUxSaaIDZn2i7qd4bPlBYTPUWq_mABadBJZHK12IC25MK1Y2Z6RT_SZ6Xv3-0pPxHHCumzWZlBf6dRICFI-B/s1600/image001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549065529275701714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qDQtf_fOl06n_dAyMpskg-hucYANKPZgQDhyjfSlNE9NXCqqAtGyMuDaWUxSaaIDZn2i7qd4bPlBYTPUWq_mABadBJZHK12IC25MK1Y2Z6RT_SZ6Xv3-0pPxHHCumzWZlBf6dRICFI-B/s400/image001.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 94px;" /></a></td> </tr> <tr style='height:258.0pt'> <td width=915 valign=top style='width:686.0pt;border:solid white 3.0pt; border-top:none;background:#95B3D7;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:258.0pt'>   DECOUVREZ ET ECHANGEZ LORS D'UN FORUM EN LIGNE !   LA BOURSE D’EVOLUTION PROFESSIONNELLE INTER ENTREPRISES   Des chefs d'entreprises ont contribué à la création de prototypes de solutions innovantes pour répondre à leurs problématiques de gestion des compétences.   Venez les découvrir et donner votre avis, afin de participer au choix des solutions qui seront finalisées en 2014. A tout moment, vous pouvez intervenir sur le forum pour faire part de vos réflexions, besoins et interrogations. color:#003366'>  margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:43.65pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'>A partir du 15 Décembre 2010 – 9h   Inscrivez-vous au Forum : <a href="http://bepi.nekoediskus.com/forum"> color:navy;text-decoration:none'><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549069367154096770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4j5f_822xvjiiPaqpox_LW-sR5uGoOTWpM2v39VjjtKYNX1vLWMWEMRR3b0gS0xywkx3Dx84fGt0YQuIZcqLiwGIUfyK5n_Pdm295t3a00Wf5HNUGWdNacOl6ciUQs55lj9aGtshYH_m/s400/image002.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 88px;" /></a>   Nous restons à votre disposition pour tout complément d’informations. Plus d’informations sur le projet sur  : <a href="http://www.nekoe.fr/bepi">www.nekoe.fr/bepi</a> Votre contact : <a href="mailto:jean-pierre.froux@nekoe.fr">jean-pierre.froux@nekoe.fr</a>   Ce projet est cofinancé par l’Union européenne par le Fonds social européen (FSE) au titre du programme « Compétitivité Régionale et Emploi » – 2007-2014. </td> </tr> </table>

Participez à un forum d'échanges sur la gestion RH inter-entreprises

DECOUVREZ ET ECHANGEZ LORS D'UN FORUM EN LIGNE ! LA BOURSE D ’EVOLUTION PROFESSIONNELLE INTER ENTREPRISES Des...

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 9

6:23 AM Tukiyooo 0

It was a sad parting in Santiago. As much as I’ll be glad to be home, it was hard to say goodbye to new friends – both human and terrestrial. I’m going to miss white cranes lifting and lowering their wings slowly as they fly just a few feet above the green rice plants while water buffalo wade through the fields. I boarded a small plan to Manila. The only thing eventful about the flight was the flight attendants’ delight that I was reading Noli Me Tangere, the first of two Philippine classic novels by the revolutionary hero, Jose Rizal. The works of Rizal and other Filipino writers were banned until the 1970’s along with patriotic Philippine folk songs, but the children all learned the words and music to “America the Beautiful.” The adventure began when I got to Manila. Someone from the National Church Office met me at the airport and dropped me off at my hotel at 1 p.m. with the intention of picking me up later, at a time TBA, for dinner with the Prime Bishop and National Church Office staff. But the hotel said I was too early. So I left my bags and ventured forth a-foraging. I lunched at the Tree House, an open air restaurant serving barbecued chicken. As I waited in that decidedly tropical ambience, the radio played “Walking In A Winter Wonderland.” The next song was an excellent cover of the R&B classic “Just My Imagination.” Manila is by the way totally decked out for Christmas in ways I cannot begin to express. One example is along one downtown street there is a 30 foot structure that is a cross between a Christmas tree and a pagoda, with large snowflake shapes of white lights along its sides. Pertinent to my story, crèches are everywhere, absolutely everywhere, some rustic, some bedazzled. While waiting for my room to be ready, I also stopped off for a ventoso style massage. Best massage I have ever had!!! It was a spiritual experience. I was in one mellow mood when I got back to the upscale hotel. Then they told me I had no reservation and the hotel was full. Homeless. No phone. No phone number. Nada. What to do? I needed a drink – of coffee – my drug of choice, so I went to Starbucks. A little caffeine settled my nerves. I reasoned that eventually they would have to come looking for me, maybe send the police. And the place they would start looking is the last place I had been seen – the upscale hotel. So I went back there and hung out for several hours. It was a Joseph and Mary moment – no room in the inn – but at least I wasn’t in labor. I commended myself a bit for remaining as calm as I was about the whole situation, but then I thought Joseph and Mary probably weren’t too calm. Faith isn’t always calm. It’s more about God being faithful whether we are calm or frantic. God is there with us regardless of our mood. That’s why all the crèches in Manila pertain to today. Eventually, the mortified National Church staff showed up and took me downtown to a less upscale but more my style kind of hotel. I’m on the 9th floor over a busy downtown street with lots of honking and whistling down below. Reminds of seminary days in New York. Hunger had become a factor and the dinner with the PB and staff was canceled due to my MIA status. I’m having breakfast with the PB instead. So I went looking for more food. I found a Korean restaurant and to my naïve surprise discovered that not only the servers but the clientele were all Koreans. The cooks however were young Filipinos. Not sure what to make of that. I ordered something I didn’t really recognize but felt daring, until I realized that there were no forks. I had not seen a single chop stick in the Philippines. They don’t use chop sticks in Santiago. But here it was all chop sticks and I have used them in years, never was proficient. Whenever I was sure no one was looking, I speared the food. Occasionally the food landed on my sleeve and I would discreetly wipe my face and snag the food with my tongue as it went by. Little by little, by hook or by crook, I ate most of it, even the rice. The music in the Korean Restaurant – Ann Murray “Just one touch and then it happens . . . .;” Abba “Dancing Queen” just what we were listening to while driving North, also the Eagles “Hotel California” and John Denver “You Fill Up My Senses.” So when I fly away tomorrow, what will I bring back with me? It may take awhile to answer that. Certainly a different impression of how they do church here and a lot of inspiration and ideas for how we might do church better. (This really is role reversal from the old missionary days. We can learn more from Santiago on most points. There are a couple of things we have more experience at and can share.) There is some possibility, just a faint glimmer of a possibility, of some funding from her to help us get started with an Asian ministries outreach like we started Latino ministries last year. Bishop Alex is working on it for us. We need this decidedly Christian country to support some missionary work in our not so Christian land. I have a new Philippine vest I intend to wear with my purple clergy shirt, so Asian people in Nevada will see it and think “What is that white bishop doing wearing a Philippine vest, here in Nevada of all places?” They will ask me about it and I will tell them about Asian ministries in Nevada. I will explain the Episcopal Church and say “It isn’t just for Igarot anymore. We have thriving Ilocano congregations in Santiago where we just ordained a non-Cordilleran” – this will all make sense to them if they are Filipino – “and,” I will continue, “there are growing Tagalog congregations in Manila and we are in full communion with the Philippine Independent Church. Our priests and their priests go to the same seminary, you know.” In other words, I’m getting ready to do a better job of evangelism to Nevada’s growing Asian population. Beyond that, there’s the spiritual thing. “Spirit” is not about emotions. It’s about connections -- connecting to each other in God through Christ.” I am more connected now. I have heard dozens of stories that are not in these journals. I have told the people of Santiago stories – stories about our diocese, stories about Nevada, my own personal stories. We have shared life and that is the essence of communion. I feel deeply blessed by my time here and I will return looking for opportunities to share the blessing from this watery world with my fellow desert dwellers. The Deans and I talked of connecting congregations to congregations, ECW’s to ECW’s, joining their diocesan education person, Andrea, to our Parish Educators Google Group. “It does not yet appear what (this) shall be but when (it) appears it will be like him (Christ.)”

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 9

It was a sad parting in Santiago. As much as I’ll be glad to be home, it was hard to say goodbye to new friends – both human and terrestrial...

To Fire or Not To Fire?

7:44 PM Tukiyooo 0

That is the question, isn't it? Or at least, that's the question that U-M Athletic Director David Brandon has to mull over in this next month or so. But each Michigan football fan has, in their own mind, made their own decision about head coach Rich Rodriguez. Most of the fans I know are ready to see him go, while a few are still hoping for "one more year" to prove himself. Me? I am on the fence. I know you hate to hear me say that, but I am. I can see valid reasons from both sides, and it makes my choice hard. Luckily, I am not the Athletic Director, so this really doesn't mean anything besides arguing with acquaintances every once in a while. But here are some of the pros and cons about the whole situation. See it from my view: whatever happens is good for the school and the program. Situation #1: Give him one more year. After two years of nothing after Ohio State, Rodriguez got Michigan to a 7-5 record and a spot in the Gator Bowl on January 1. If nothing, this is a major jump. Now January 1 bowls are not as prestigious as they used to be, but it still has some clout. You are guaranteed a major audience of males who have the day off and are committed to watching whatever football game flies across their flatscreens at a particular time of the day. On January 2 people will be talking about those bowls. And nothing beats the GIANT patch they get to put on their uniforms, right? (I mean, seriously! I could take four of those patches and have four placemats for my dining room table!) The Michigan team we saw had its weaknesses, sure, but those are defensive and special teams problems. The most logical solution would be to fire those coaches, Greg Robinson and Tony Gibson (who also doubles as the defensive backs coordinator - it's like two firings in one!) and bring in some incredibly talented defensive minds to take over. In this season, you could say that Michigan beat every team it was supposed to beat (UConn, Purdue, Notre Dame, Indiana, etc.) and lost to teams that were better than them (OSU, MSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, etc.). The only game that does not fit into this mindset was the Penn State game, which was just plain horrible on every level. But that was really the only one. Our offense has a solid foundation. Give quarterback Denard Robinson some receivers that consistently catch the ball, as well as one (one!) main running back, and the offense can put up the points. The defense and special teams need major overhauls, but anything next year would be better than this year for both areas, right? The biggest problem for firing Rodriguez would be that the players are on his side. Like, majorly. If Brandon were to fire him and bring in a new coach with new ideas, and that trust between player and coach could disappear. Trust me, if these 18-23-year-old males are willing to hold hands and sway to "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban because their coach encouraged them to, these guys would do anything to keep him as the coach. I remember losing some core players from Lloyd Carr's tenure after Rodriguez came on as head coach and thinking, "Man, what if those guys had stayed?" But this was no longer the team that they had signed to play on. It wasn't Carr's system anymore; it was Rich Rod's. And because of that, they took their talents elsewhere. I can't imagine what may happen to some of our core players if a firing were to occur and someone they didn't like took his place. But still... Situation #2: FIRE HIM NOW! The old "traditions" held up in high esteem by the likes of Yost, Crisler, and Schembechler have all but disappeared. Rodriguez has insisted on starting new traditions which don't have the same Michigan luster. If a Michigan fan were to have gone into a coma in 2006 and then woken up before the Wisconsin game this season, he would barely recognize that football team on the field. I don't care that they're going to a bowl; I don't feel like any progress has been made. It just feels like they've plateaued. They aren't getting any worse (I mean, could that defense get any worse?), but there isn't that spark to be better, to get an upset win, to pummel the little guys instead of letting them hang around. We haven't beaten Ohio State in SEVEN YEARS. We need a coach that spends the entire season obsessing over that game! It almost seems like Rich Rod treats it like every other game. Newsflash, coach: IT'S NOT. Our little brother, Michigan State, has pounded us the past three years. It has been embarassing! They give us the standard Dantonio approach, and we still look like scared deer out on that field. I mentioned previously the lethargy that reigned at the end of last year. Well guess what? The lethargy returned during the Iowa game, and it never left. Do these players know the meaning of "getting psyched" for a game? Do the coaches instill any excitement on these players, or have they already given up before "The Victors" is even played? RichRod was quoted as saying, "What do you want, me to go jump out there and hold hands with all the Buckeye fans and sing 'Kumbaya'?" And then he goes and holds hands and sways to "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. I wonder what the Michigan State band is going to play when we march out onto the Spartan Stadium grass next year... Wake me up when he actually recruits a decent kicker. So What's an Athletic Director to do? Does he use the Gator Bowl as the deciding factor? Or does he make the decision before that? Does he get down on his hands and knees and beg Jim Harbaugh to come back to his alma mater? Or does he just toss a coin? One thing is for sure: Aren't you happy this isn't your decision?

To Fire or Not To Fire?

That is the question, isn't it? Or at least, that's the question that U-M Athletic Director David Brandon has to mull over in this n...

JOHN M. STAHL...a reappraisal and a reaffirmation

10:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U82ludouBXMb4xTJ8Se8r086J4KsWLeSstz0Qt8mF1_mmOTAERKbKY5HOTnpuTV5ZDX9JhxMx6R1uWq15yvC5NVZYlGhxfBIrUlRiGsi64sqcjcgEQ5SjNlQbDm-rjalxZd_DUdtRzqn/s1600/1+stahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U82ludouBXMb4xTJ8Se8r086J4KsWLeSstz0Qt8mF1_mmOTAERKbKY5HOTnpuTV5ZDX9JhxMx6R1uWq15yvC5NVZYlGhxfBIrUlRiGsi64sqcjcgEQ5SjNlQbDm-rjalxZd_DUdtRzqn/s320/1+stahl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>by guest contributor doctor sabelotodo Author's Disclaimer Not until I started researching and reading did I realize the extent of the tremendous amount of heresay, recyled disinformation and vague references that exists in the written media about director John M. Stahl - both online and in book form. I prefer to write (cryptically) off the top of my head but felt lacking in sufficient details concerning the film legacy of Mr. Stahl. I love film but dislike film criticism...trust me...you will not see mise en scene mentioned... <a name='more'></a> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoBy5-LF9ZZAfk1yxvwbn0S4uiNdF9iL6CfIph26aaAu3Q-JRD_emLwGTRoeDptoR1CpmLh3sNKGxHFlCWgyDk798mfWzsSVbyy4BXunwAsf4EMhPalxKxCHfaId780OPXDt9ThNwWXTP/s1600/4+stahl+stahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoBy5-LF9ZZAfk1yxvwbn0S4uiNdF9iL6CfIph26aaAu3Q-JRD_emLwGTRoeDptoR1CpmLh3sNKGxHFlCWgyDk798mfWzsSVbyy4BXunwAsf4EMhPalxKxCHfaId780OPXDt9ThNwWXTP/s200/4+stahl+stahl.jpg" width="116" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A Brief Biography</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>John Malcolm Stahl was born unceremoniuosly in New York City on January 21, 1886...attended public schools until 1901, when he left to become an actor...he worked in this vein on stage and film until joining Vitagraph Studios in 1914 and then the newly founded MGM/Meyer studios in 1917...throughout his tenure, he directed numerous films of little consequence (most have been lost or forgotten). He founded Tiffany-Stahl Pictures in 1927, but sold his interest in 1930. His "big break" came in 1930 when he joined Universal Studios and began making a number of successful and quality films. Stahl married Roxana Wray in 1930 (his wife until death)..then came the disaster of Parnell (1937), which ended his work with Universal. He he continued on working for Fox Studios and free-lancing, his sole success being Leave Her to Heaven along with some minor films...he retired in 1949 and died the following year. John Stahl was one of the founders of AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (for whatever that is worth)... Introduction <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZ7_MkqPqcYz_1zI6AWOUT2l2VKCYBFUnbJMVCEMn40_NSMT9ZdG9hrnVA-8KxXIwlvRRva_VA61TxhCwJk-kp9niEnnVmgYrYotOl973W3flx9EP7-p2_zXghhWnzi_NF-0SwAFiYcj/s1600/2+stahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TZ7_MkqPqcYz_1zI6AWOUT2l2VKCYBFUnbJMVCEMn40_NSMT9ZdG9hrnVA-8KxXIwlvRRva_VA61TxhCwJk-kp9niEnnVmgYrYotOl973W3flx9EP7-p2_zXghhWnzi_NF-0SwAFiYcj/s200/2+stahl.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>The first time that I heard a reference to John Stahl was in the 1970s. It was a direct quote claiming that "he had been out-Sirked by Douglas Sirk." I found this interesting (knowing the films of Douglas Sirk) but like most, I was not familiar with the name John Stahl, despite having seen his Imitation of Life (1934) and Magnificent Obsession (1935). I became aware of the full impact of this statement over the years, i.e., in remaking three of John Stahl's films as a tribute, Douglas Sirk had unwittingly buried the former in the tomb of obscurity. Prior to 1936, I think Stahl enjoyed a good reputation as a reliable, competent, focused studio director. Parnell was his undoing (as director and producer he was solely responsible), and the critics and wags began to pile up the negatives: "studio director,""unoriginal,""a woman's director," "a one medium director," director of "weepies," "tearjerkers" and "soapers." Negative criticism led to neglect which was in full force by the time he made Leave Her to Heaven (1945). To the above I say... 1. William Wyler was criticized for being a "studio director" (I would like anyone try to do a better job on Ben-Hur). 2. George Cukoor was also called a "woman's director"...so what? He was a good director period... 3. John Ford directed mostly westerns. 4. Being "maverick" and "original" does not guarantee quality or success... I also think that part of the public and critical neglect of Stahl was due to his reputation - he was a real nice guy, not a womanizaer or a drunk...got along well with the studio brass...actors and actresses loved him (especially Greer Garson)...he was pleasant to work with...productive...responsible. Yes, he directed melodramas...yes, he addressed strong issues on the social and sexual mores of women...yes, he featured independent (sometimes driven) characters...but this hardly justifies criticism or neglect. The following is a quote from Hal Erickson at All-Movie Guide: "it was during this time that Stahl developed his directorial "signature"; hot house melodramas and baroque romanticisims with emphasis on strong, self reliant female characters"..this was the kind of blather that I waded through. 1. Hot house...What does that mean? over-the-top...yes...sauna, no! 2. Baroque...I think that he is referring to Douglas Sirk! 3. Self reliant females...that smells of Ayn Rand... Selected Films <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTlxJL8P8SDWd6rNv0wnrsHLP3ND31uhO0AsUsCF6l-fZy1J9VJmTdCqXLiP5HBb3tQx0BtL4irYb4TKSD-KuAdl7DCt_MAllivCZcMNOn-NO9_-IKuoko2hf4q4TNjOHnAa7abh1oK5x/s1600/5+stahl+backstreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTlxJL8P8SDWd6rNv0wnrsHLP3ND31uhO0AsUsCF6l-fZy1J9VJmTdCqXLiP5HBb3tQx0BtL4irYb4TKSD-KuAdl7DCt_MAllivCZcMNOn-NO9_-IKuoko2hf4q4TNjOHnAa7abh1oK5x/s200/5+stahl+backstreet.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>1. Back Street (1932)...from the Fannie Hurstbest seller. The story of unrequited/star-crossed/ill-fated love, as Rae (Irene Dunne) chooses to be the mistress of Walter (John Boles) for 30 years. Good performances in a rather convoluted story. With ZaSu Pitts, cinematography by Karl Freund...remade poorly in 1941 and 1961... 2. Only Yesterday (1933)...again featuring John Boles and the screen debut of Margaret Sullavan. In 1929, a once wealthy businessman reflects on his past and an affair in 1917 that produced an illegimate child...he had ignored the woman who had his child and now feels remorse when he finds her dying. With a chilling montage of images of the Great Depression. As with Back Street, a definite pre-coder...featuring a strong supporting cast including Edna May Oliver and Billie Burke. 3. Imitation of Life (1933)... from Fannie Hurst once again...perfect cast with Claudette Colbert as Bea Pullman, Louise Beavers as Delilah Johnson, Warren William as Stephen Archer, and Rochelle Hudson and Fredi Washington as the daughters. Storyline...widow hires maid whose recipe becomes "Aunt Delilah" pancake formula = $$$ and disappointment. This film tackled real issues of segregation, the position of women, class structure, passing for white and the destructive power of wealth. Often described as dated, this version of Imitation of Life is superior to the flamboyant/unbelievable/vapid 1959 remake with Lana Turner... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUyaaZysYKUDTDu8RWYJHilWXH3Hf828bh1ukTLAjQKN2Qlfz1QOb7y2fBXb1Ef0ouuepWu81aBlXgNwMG7jKlUBN1DtaErCcRQ7QbkPF7NLkwltF8_6SLgtN1qRKfiQVrotUh_pu91er/s1600/3+stahl+mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUyaaZysYKUDTDu8RWYJHilWXH3Hf828bh1ukTLAjQKN2Qlfz1QOb7y2fBXb1Ef0ouuepWu81aBlXgNwMG7jKlUBN1DtaErCcRQ7QbkPF7NLkwltF8_6SLgtN1qRKfiQVrotUh_pu91er/s1600/3+stahl+mag.jpg" /></a></div>4. Magnificent Obsession (1935)...Yes, I know...from the over-the-top novel of Lloyd C. Douglas...rich/drunk playboy Bobby Merrick (Robert Taylor) causes death of the doctor husband of Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne). He feels bad, tries to apologize and as she leaves, she is struck by a car and is blinded. Merrick now feels really bad...tries to reform his ways...visits her...when she discovers his identity, she rebukes him once again...he mans up...becomes a physician and a renowned eye specialist and blah...blah...blah...I know it is hokey...Taylor is "stiff" as usual, but this film is so much better than the remake with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman. 5. Parnell (1937)...the story of "the uncrowned king of Ireland"...a good pedigree...Myrna Loy and Clark Gable...cinematography by Karl Freund...screenplay by John Van Druten. Unfortunately, it was a giant flop with the public and critics...beautifully filmed but schizophrenic. Is it a bio-pic, a star vehicle or a costume drama? As producer/director, Stahl was completely responsible for this mess that led to his dismissal from MGM...please...do NOT see this film! 6. When Tomorrow Comes (1939)...a minor comeback for Stahl, as Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne renew their screen chemistry from Love Affair (1939)...from a story by James M. Cain, of all people...good film...improbable plot...remade by Douglas Sirk as Interlude (1957). 7. The Keys of the Kingdom (1945)...from the A. J. Cronin novel...screenplay by Nunnally Johnson...music by Alfred Newman..and a great cast headed by Gregory Peck in his first starring role..we really see the screen presence of Peck in this film...from his visage...mannerisms...and speech...this was 18 years before To Kill a Mockingbird. 8. Leave Her to Heaven (1945)...flamboyant and morbid, to say the least...Gene Tierney is both stunning and creepy as Ellen Berent..Cornel Wilde is adequate as her hubby Richard Harland...with good support from Jeanne Crain and Vincent Price...how this movie got by the censors is beyond me: featuring a wrongful death (click below to view)...a deliberate fall to cause a miscarriage and suicide to implicate a rival in homicide is enough plot for three movies...this is one unique movie and represents the mastery of Stahl...famous quote: "there's nothing wrong with Ellen, it's just that she loves too much..." <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXHJqXyvJc0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXHJqXyvJc0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Summary Well, that is the best I can do...I have been a champion of John M. Stahl for 30 years...his fall from grace was multifactorial...the disaster of Parnell, benign neglect by critics...the ascendency of Douglas Sirk..and the unjust labelling as a studio director...I hope you will visit his films!

JOHN M. STAHL...a reappraisal and a reaffirmation

Back Street doctor sabelotodo (author) Douglas Sirk Imitation of Life John M. Stahl Keys to the Kingdom Leave Her to Heaven Magnificent Obsession melodrama Only Yesterday When Tomorrow Comes JOHN M. STAHL...a reappraisal and a reaffirmation

Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven by guest contributor doctor sabelotodo Author's Disclaimer Not until I started researching and readi...

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 8

5:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

My last day in Santiago was dominated by the retreat I facilitated for the clergy and the diocesan staff. My self-review is that parts of it went quite well. The preface on post-colonial theology generated good discussion and report back in the plenary session. I then did the theoretical presentation for my exercises on psycho-synthesis and bio-spiritual focusing. The response was mixed. Some folks were nodding and definitely engaged if not downright intrigued. Others were bored. The first exercise went ok, but just ok. The second went better and they had great one on one dialogues afterward. By the time we got to the transpersonal self guided meditation, almost everyone seemed deeply engaged. It felt profound. Then the free association of God’s children meditation went quite well and the loving kindness mediation seems worked exceptionally. It was moving when they meditated on the blessing, “May all persons in the Dioceses of Santiago and Nevada be filled with loving kindness. May they be well. May they be peaceful and at ease. May they be happy.” So once we got past the theory, which some liked even that, it went well. The deans met with me over lunch again and we continued to plan how to build a network between our dioceses. They told me more about how the deaneries work in the Philippines. The deanery is a key unit of church life here and the deans have a substantial role – more so than in Atlanta or Nevada. They really make things happen, like youth ministry. The ECW meets for the deanery and at convention. ECW lives beyond the parish boundaries here more than in Nevada. I learned much and was prodded to do more with what I already know. There was a wonderful farewell. The clericus gave me a large woven cloth. They also gave me the banner welcoming me to the diocese in Ilocano. There were many mutual expressions of appreciation for each other. I kept promising to return until I realized how much like Douglass MacArthur I sounded. After the retreat, two young adults, Andy Burns (a YASC engineer) and Jocelyn Ittiw (an agricultural engineer doing community development work) interviewed me. Good questions. I over answered them because I enjoyed the young people so much. I want to be them when I am reincarnated. This has been a fantastic visit. I feel changed by it in ways I cannot describe. I regret having to leave tomorrow though I do enjoy Manila as well and look forward to meeting the Prime Bishop. I am also just exhuasted. But I fly away laden with loving gifts -- a Philippine vest, wood carvings from Ifugao, a framed ceretificate from the dedication of St. Joseph the Worker, as well as the woven cloth and the banner they gave me today. The generosity of these good people exceeds even thier reputation.

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 8

My last day in Santiago was dominated by the retreat I facilitated for the clergy and the diocesan staff. My self-review is that parts of it...

Wordless Wednesday

6:19 PM Tukiyooo 0

Wordless Wednesday

*Abby’s in the Christmas spirit*

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 7

6:29 AM Tukiyooo 0

This was tourist day. Bishop Alex, his adult daughter, Maria, and Padi Nancy picked me up just past 8. First a definition of Padi: It means Nancy is a priest. No Padi is not derived from Padre – no etymological connection whatsoever. It is not Spanish, but Ilocano – a Filipino language from the plains area around Santiago. It is a gender neutral title for a priest. Filipinos have the most gender inclusive version of English I’ve ever encountered. They use the masculine and feminine pronouns with total disregard for the gender of the person being discussed. It’s a little confusing to an American, but quite delightful. As I was saying, before language took me astray, three wonderful people picked me up this morning and drove me up, up, up into the mountain forests. We stopped by one church and then dropped in at another, Padi Nancy’s, St. John’s in the Wilderness, to have coffee. Then on to the Banaue rice terraces, the 8th wonder of the world. Along the mountain sides, they have constructed earthen terraces. Irrigations systems which I cannot get my mind around keep these terraces flooded with water just like rice paddies on the flat lands. So they raise rice on the mountainsides. They are huge. It is an engineering marvel. Now when do you suppose they constructed these rice terraces? The oldest ones are from about 2,000 B.C.E. They were centuries old when God spoke to Moses. And they are still in active production. I couldn’t see all of them because there was rain and heavy fog. But the rain and fog were pretty amazing to this desert rat. The foggy mountains were mystical and mysterious. The rain was cold and made sitting on Padi Nancy’s porch drinking coffee all the cozier. On the way back down the mountain, we stopped off at the Las Vegas Café. However, there was not a buffet. By the way, I said something amiss in a previous post. I said I had stopped for lunch in Turo Turo. Well, it was actually San Jose. Turo Turo is not a place but the name for the Filipino version of fast food. It means literally point point. There is no menu, just a deep bowls of food and you point at what you want. When we got back to Santiago, I had dinner with the 6 deans. We had a good talk about the joys and challenges of their ministries and how deaneries work in this diocese. They are a good deal more active than our deaneries or even our mission districts. They have formal structures with officers etc . And they are responsible for implementing diocesan programs. The deans’ main interest they wanted to discuss was forming congregation to congregation partnerships between Santiago and Nevada. They are not looking for financial support. Quite the contrary, self-reliance is one of their core values. They are looking for a spiritual partnership. They want to know our people and be known by them. It’s about friendship in Christ. We are going to exchange lists of congregations with brief descriptions, then set up small committees on each side to match up congregations and give them some direction for how to start the relationship. How to continue it will be up to the congregations. They are very enthusiastic about making these relationships happen.

The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 7

This was tourist day. Bishop Alex, his adult daughter, Maria, and Padi Nancy picked me up just past 8. First a definition of Padi: It means ...

Some things work, some don't...this one didn't

7:49 PM Tukiyooo 0

Askfirmation versus Affirmation? Well, it was a swell idea, but it didn't work for me this morning. In fact, it had the reverse desired effect. I woke up at my usual 4:40 a.m. intending to get up and get to the gym by 5 a.m. Instead of my normal self-talk of "get up, get going and just don't think about it", I had a debate with myself. I thought about how I didn't have to go workout, that I could think about it, and asked myself "when would I work out today?" After falling back to sleep and waking up at 5:30 a.m., I thought about it some more. The bottom line, I made it to the gym by 6:20 a.m. This is unacceptable. If you think I'm being too hard on myself, trust me, it's really easy for me to fall back into old, bad habits. Although I've been exercising consistently for three years, it doesn't take much to convince me it's not a necessity. I'm easily swayed. Look Diana, shiny object! Exercise is a necessity for me. It's the only thing I've done consistently for three years. I try to eat right most of the time, but obviously I mess that one up pretty often (or I'd be skinny by now). As far as when I exercise, it's not up for discussion. I exercise in the morning. Period. I need to be at the gym by 5:30 a.m., or 6 a.m. at the very latest. This has been working for me so I don't know why I thought it was necessary to change things. Some things should stay the same. The Big Climb I know I keep talking about this but I'm really excited the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Super%20excited%20about%20The%20Big%20Climb%20~%20http://www.llswa.org/site/PageNavigator/BC_homepage.">Big Climb</a>. So far I have 20 people signed up to participate as part of a corporate team, and today was the first day I posted it. We're going to plan a fundraiser breakfast. I also found out today I might be able to get my company give matching funds. Maybe. I'm setting a fundraising goal of $5,000. I know that's pretty high but that's what the Light of the Night group was able to raise for cancer last summer. I hope my team can the same. Facebook & Twitter Since I want to get the word out on The Big Climb, I'm going to join the 21st century and start posting on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I've had these accounts set up for a long time, but basically I'm just a stalker. I never post anything, I just read about other people's lives. Hopefully this will help get the word out about the Big Climb. The links to my Twitter and Facebook are in the upper right corner. Please friend me or follow me or whatever the heck you call it. I'd really appreciate it!

Some things work, some don't...this one didn't

Askfirmation versus Affirmation? Well, it was a swell idea, but it didn't work for me this morning. In fact, it had the reverse desired ...

Family Fun Cruise – Days 3, 4, & 5

5:53 PM Tukiyooo 0

Just in case you missed days 1 & 2, click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/family-fun-cruise-days-1-2.html">here</a>. Day 3 – Costa Maya I woke up at a perfect time Wednesday morning, I worked out while the view of Costa Maya came into sight!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB8OhmLj52NAxm-ONJBhr-luBsADLyiiuD90lJOUbcdK3StJhi4wsmcSAZQQenl_9cC0Si_nRqETGiO2-sHkuG0roqDMKuCRnN-Px8aeKh1nS9XEkk3NPCLFUJfCYZjGNbiHu4GoX6kbi/s1600-h/DSC093863.jpg"><img alt="DSC09386" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2KH5vN1sbJLfCkjqaoNINs__mMd0XgPoqxx8sCoxtu85ViMfzFuJm-VD29SCBN0T_ZMNybY_is9rc92U3YKR3Z9fKv2x5CG2U_hfKFBA2UkLqecKVwuYOi69EyziTc_GUaV51FDUAuN_/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09386" width="404"></a> <img alt="_DSC2021" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRolDDSH6-y63vGgUeVn2nLtYF5wjJL0S8u7V9VIh_ll4aZXHLyR_u0IkALJcoKNEoTC1a16-a-ooyMGAVdZxSvSxGzVRZmwYmMx2zw2wJqdBtfYyBRpqz6dTgPH6iFBlQXMKpnWGXP7J1/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2021" width="404"> This tiny little boat helped us dock!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZusk_C8WjBZqshEh9M7YtzJvLTib3nhu4lwhRfFFOyv2hFrp3Cn5AoOLOBRUjqUXQ3uBV-dLCBXPKdy7GXPmMcEtyNSiFjBfuKagqwMaNoITntuHxFfKKeIRRIRNv7PK08WdKypeOSDS/s1600-h/DSC093953.jpg"><img alt="DSC09395" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5InNOkJkQ1BR6awDEpLwEq_ABdtH6seNGidBPBK8InYWsPK-YbsvEeeALQNn_RG7xc6MBPMUX4XHEc-oC-c4uPmKdPJyFBfmKqUwhZuGT32nT_EhkFCFuHb6FjC38qS1lPq0G1zCpBxY-/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09395" width="404"></a>  Check out the rainbow that welcomed us! <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4khyphenhyphenTOr7CfXk0KEx0DzG_k_ichYazv8IMtNifsV7JoTEyGmPHRw9ec4fY-dsZf8B9PF_j64HqOHKo0h7vgtNs3fkcvEGrUnTe7aCVhCWRIcWCz7_i9MnMB2UDRIwmvdf0K7UrRX1-ODh/s1600-h/DSC093934.jpg"><img alt="DSC09393" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf6eI28RxkHFfvG8DielrpKaWYwkOrNOq5IjSvyFBhpr4tNhBhbcNiikLWQYK8JOpx18vDzq6uPI3ZRv7Df5z88zJvFOtu76J-zN-O6ont70RQpxjaLk6hr5kSJ3JW-CRAaQtszbz22m-/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09393" width="254"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO8_vh4iqm7T6h92fD17rgLIMWXAoTWOuqAhYmaM2IeRFPr1d5WxT-srX3nWbNepjZpHsAhfnoFV5-0CULs9wao1Ye1LZDE4sFP15l8dCmvNtEz2Z4AKkEJ9J6ZvKrycB_KRNpcVgALff/s1600-h/DSC093924.jpg"><img alt="DSC09392" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ3BH7omYlsjgyZx1y0uAPZcGFMkld0fGcYmWU0rat60kIB2nh4yU_Eu8l3PrAicqU4gPDsCaR4O15u73Jhv5co5QvtnGkB0II5_y-uwNobCWXPdiHtrUMd4bZzcwSnO_STjAnO7dWd1u/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09392" width="254"></a>  </td></tr></tbody></table> I almost forgot how big our boat was, until we got off! Wow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4riF5TO0Yk8M00D4fY_339cGHeTTev9UcTmT1PIgRSZA9nZpdjZGU-EM8JySlHu8aP27oOqOGV5JUBdSZJKsC5-8wBKiHHcqo4eaPxUMy6hkFEGxnUQBLy7RoG2VxU0trWonI6cErXrwN/s1600-h/DSC093996.jpg"><img alt="DSC09399" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7A4CuLrez0UA7ky-ZYTKPadF8MvU9gNC-aDblHaFO-xLkCpkZo_FS2Jo3M3hDRrR6T7DhAmpX3a4p6R9hplARRbhZCNldhOBIZyuP9ooW-6MCPli421Sb5043PMFkgrmX1G9_lzWzgJA/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09399" width="404"></a>   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZHLtab-T2VQN4_cnz1O4NJ8Z0nWSZnaZhUw76oBIl8_ocXCOBadfCFq9cz4EbBaUQUqI6T0UH20qQFD1N2aV7HLoRvMudwjSM0S7tBAv1SMoVEh7GdAADmAa9agWF0J26MFKI3H8QO_m/s1600-h/_DSC20326.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2032" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDBmPdBqRIEcRbNQgHy-Jc02dRtO34jVJqG1yXaDcYI4VS5Flu4ijgPF-nid9m3dBUboVjjPDbqwR7CCoJLX63EylpCLp4lMrqxbOdPzrsMaUMRcMEHH-I3nrSsHXeF5F9SZFR4QfboSr/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2032" width="404"></a> We first scoped out all the local shops!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkx9ep16C4mQ-A_qHbLdcVr6ElLzu_h2Jd-dTQI3m9soXaf2tTatue6nzKhafDxyyOj_9tfaXFilNEVTCqmyTGUxoBM9KzvNJZSUHu_Z2sopiVTGADOYN6oo-anlLba2nJMhwk2V90eXT/s1600-h/_DSC20413.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2041" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyReiwu9TwaafYty-yiR0nxm44X6u9xo5WkDxbkTHyGuTso1xQ7PEXNCp4DIorOJUShBcDPfJnOPzJTea8ibV_7GWEPNbqpUnZ5mL8Rj6WzgP3siss7hJZKRR9IdyE0o8EnMC6fuU8cd11/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2041" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxJcASnHJBOWYNOU87u4-GDo6VygS9NEizzCezQBe4R0-LSSf6v4sKVbmNsNBp-PZ_rbqhWpqN3F-8HQuihmXoR9e5A8wH7V317Xc8M6xiioYdFd41hLp9Yv-kOixVIBR8m1q-dlaCzBc/s1600-h/_DSC20393.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2039" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNeiNrsXYWRfp56mCqb9RfefBQOaDPS1L9L27MHiina0snyVwIzu9pOauB0SZR29FHPOozya-AcpDsG5bL2F9Gl9yD0b4Yeg7r08fE-bceBgxYPRL0GmKR8WJ89LqxdKbCNs54fvXbDWl/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2039" width="404"></a> And then found the pool in the middle, with a view of the Gulf & our boat!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1Sk6oCjgxQudqMmfnT3E0u00FBWmvc9mX2V1fcA29iYcJ6_RaXdVVNYIYBcppkpDQuhvYDMDjjV_wXfQighhYad-hY8yLS1dNvsK-gZ3qJhem610xminOq1nVM8W0F8V-wcnjBroTVxI/s1600-h/_DSC20383.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2038" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcGEEuKklQSQaP_hjggRcOKbq1ORMI8XB14QI4hD_u7cW88zANHLboyY5934Gsqt4Sc97nNK25MPQy0ZNHkHO21NHFji5Xz_xxgSF8XFgv4XjOJz6KucxaLRftAksNvnZpmu5hjmkv9jX/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2038" width="404"></a> We enjoyed a dolphin show! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06vg7XqzIezw45pKeiSPkVUQkX5-MbKNuIVn3c6VY_9sG87XFv8dEIUU5yZ0tG1gVFDNafSGSkGFVNv6IRnXnIRQzw70LyooGlh9NA1Aj15zLztOA8pEELiCXe8cCrN1y5xC37netT6mO/s1600-h/DSC094033.jpg"><img alt="DSC09403" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5xRwZK24-PBYFInn4ITY5lnd4FtXr_XDtBeRGBve_EX4eitp5uDg7BdkyJCxCWh6BK0mzVBcwop-l5LXnMl3YvCjfd4pqh1F7JVqUy0iWaa1BtMy1jCug5z7tg20vsPz0QSKaVrHky-i/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09403" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigUT7QY3MccdSa78vCDH4f_C4OEdHpp1bj_Cj0LaVJy2kAUW8UNBMOHye0XHtUG9G_Edgx4yx1cYhyphenhyphenfBH-t7HSk6-XAjAvWq-q0zwEii-dIIdGEkoqR23zHTlqRbBf3VmaBGNYKOhUVz6/s1600-h/DSC094073.jpg"><img alt="DSC09407" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_OAiFTW-c3dKMRWH6gr9sW5D7xpDI-sZN_p7Cma3ZKnsz2LNoiyc9ZnfhFA347oYpKreZcc4U61J2kp-E598bkgd8yU7yT4T_J3HriWUBBD_5kzNrit7mGM_eMYtO8gIhdZpruVgcvrY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09407" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa5urrSDe6T9K_OdA-116Ejk-FeFhF-kb9j5NhwJlrZGiFRS6FjV5pzIuBH6Z7PWRayzWAaEy3VxeTww-DBT3D295eCaEhFdbcn1k5spd8bIHYYQ8Hn0MnJnktTvySMlfY3RYt-ETQLt0/s1600-h/DSC094083.jpg"><img alt="DSC09408" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1r_oMvwB23nG3pWRg4b4jv_WUTPMaFK9GaFh6z2GYRcoUuPv3Z1j4YhOX8NcdE7XdlOTDX5ozk6yFkbCMz8fxC3PXX6EmOe0oSzW9J-iK8je_EEZOVmev28TlVktIKfeLyG6MFRFmbj8/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09408" width="404"></a> We spent the afternoon in the pool, ate some yummy Mexican…<img alt="DSC09413" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReDq4Xa-wbjqlYHM1bviuZPQzJiK2WtCCjIqaorGLqrt-KsG33y7ZsrUPp8m8c1WFseJWktLTAtxWVFPQFrX_tYaF_zAvK12eMgt_jSs784v-uEcEquuP5haul6f5bRMBrhTH7fpWpoOU/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09413" width="404"> and just lounged!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV6g21eJDVedC765p2Z0-XNlmsvQ3nf-2DsGgMhXY7O1xmIhkZwhSCRBGXgL_ffF7iB5itNeH21El1tO2vPuAcdHDBlF3Yz_90lNa7wkThqsl7lglqXD1RUF9I3FprOW6M6gEgMPFPneY/s1600-h/DSC094103.jpg"><img alt="DSC09410" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUtwcmbeo_8VoMyEswiwEg7pxgpA0mrGe0UM9OJ6IgNt-EciM_xi6gSEESrdaMOQ48PB-j4gm6zayOGypOFgNd3MqhmtKHFdvwWJGt6WIqpRH6zwiOYleUa-64F8rAxMXjQEfgyhwBHY-/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09410" width="404"></a> Gotta love vacation!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNONUiuw4IvH_kzeJqMSa3Nb6TGQB40WIJMRKVijwdiS7EmiRTNvxwUyiTVAqJ9EIDSSEZ2fH-0w0FfsFQk8AHWzf3JioAqowCdNtZ7FD1irV8oqeqqNLQavlvHxvrpjh72br9NnhLCSg/s1600-h/DSC094113.jpg"><img alt="DSC09411" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaS1YfmM4Hzz9JxGTLfmgtSxQccPTWMQeG3REwd7AZSm_9htGcpU2wXv9V6QMqnTuHT_bxBBjb7-VGhDHfF7_xwU7a2B444qKy4gnkPeqmMRxUL_fd3bRlMTSNP3P9tII5Z6DQIK_oKBO/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09411" width="404"></a> We were wore out from the sun, but made it back to the boat, can’t miss dinner! These were the wonderful people who took care of us each night at dinner. This night all the wait staff came out singing & dancing, it was too fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNkAJ4Mm0YslMk7_EFV6dLfQ-RbUjj9jyf0luaSPqz4YuI35gyIwfZyiYD5l5fidfeegCU4GI-nCsDpWq6Y0KVvlqcA19oIyC049HKO4kMGCcL2sKvsLXwq1fSKoR6IGdAM-mI6toOON8/s1600-h/_DSC21073.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2107" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17o6KePXBm1VBFyOrTlZ8XI5VV1dfrjqCgDC_QKsq9-WRqrXP4hXnf6rxBTQagBLuRK6Sjpw9fv_nRreW3_qD2qDqG1GjyP7MwiU-mjOFdQaKiDzQNl5oBxpKdv_ZF_7IIb3Ryl0zcpFA/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2107" width="404"></a> Of course we had to join the party!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KYRuYJILRH8HFe6-RnDO4VGk7Rf4irMO-hRR9NHmNMQr41y5iU2L6L0QjV5_bw3dWobOqOZ14hkmynI9CafCr6K_vxY0aHtwg50xZFg0hsRe18JjEmZo8EzREQhujA-CZyqNfKkXaV-3/s1600-h/_DSC21123.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2112" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hrxpNteEcN4Gy5qq3t19QY82QGXFaavTTRhkhGcidwB6y157PM0Vl4wnlXuISXjWwfoZpUHkyW1g1VBtsuCPeGuc4Lwb7D1IZqgE5pN4X-EKkX8G-xO8-sVkPl4NMNku8jK8ambDqt8o/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2112" width="404"></a> So glad this is a food blog, I know you guys appreciate good food, otherwise I worry you would get bored with all these food pictures!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQkkK7Hdf3Z7MUqgsyohFr5VAjQnlRuahWcN7eAbSnpE4bugAAuwE9Hkoep5K_U42R8qmqKEOAnKKs27zDNfns9M3ev1T6em9PKCYVcS2cA7bWlhDUFgRstmf3ydd3u2ifKSIZ2Dq6IpR/s1600-h/DSC094143.jpg"><img alt="DSC09414" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSw3S2ZQqfMPZdW95IXDEBWw5i4b7cnJZZ60R7DJkHW13fCpS6v8BTAjN2gRwmnfQGmolIxOcnS0-nZD6HyhSNbCx_oNhsW0Yq3Cs5GRtkLWw5vE4u4_hmZGy4V35zhlglfpl-lXnENqn/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09414" width="304"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNKG8dC9UR5mctXaBqB1jyfLLtpjPhRnoUnR57BD-e0cvnkApw73KeK2fn70OJRMmwRpra6KM_oacnIBpMJ2PtR6VdX4mCyDawCuC3HlNubm-GXV2YVaOdjbwp-lSn9z07iB-CTn0iULX/s1600-h/_DSC21184.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2118" border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5FJR20hGjyydLsuMwWQgUAbBMl2IiMoo1Xfp79RlAE_rLmDOl7TIgSNmaQ2jxapJDBvS2B4LmOlbOLsq3u9gCNPkSNjIkxUUYj6yPgXXirWUJ7HpHoTzc0a-H3YJNIGO9TBn5EJQlcZd/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2118" width="332"></a> Yes I was one of those nerd-y cruise passengers that wore the Royal Caribbean lanyards, but it was so convenient to keep my SeaPass card & Cruise Compass (our daily list of activities!) for the day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYR9QeoUp9JO_BQHxBGuVEtEcNQRPToLruqQ-5AXH-DUeD1lDWlGFimS05Kj4W0UbN5UEgRAGC7oT-CNRxQkwGOoq08vOhW0IPZBijDbp5mknQWSqrSbuPV9TtdLu5LHAsYnI2LGEe4jj/s1600-h/DSC094153.jpg"><img alt="DSC09415" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTiDkAesA8yYhxYfTCMavHx7diRmJBZcs0NaPfDk5uc43Ya-AO57N6vKHJeXW7jSuCo95FLMP-CtEc3Q__OT2cdvepFhyphenhyphenhNHuIKCi0YuwKMoKS7lCGpSS5FiuG9n7S4DrJQEvnCByBUw5/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09415" width="404"></a> It was so fun to get to know Julie, my cousin’s fiancé. They got married the weekend after we got back from the cruise!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScYDKx1EmUA0BEoY08bamwyNUu_37DzMGODLVbVDpRX2z4kMjZBbrOiYOl36pg5fnYusFIC1MzGwNtW9-uzsaoyt4ztce6iVm1G8tfxBFVREO3nuKh5-MSYjSFSDWpjHyApE4Fa_weYvo/s1600-h/DSC094163.jpg"><img alt="DSC09416" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Roh7cNVRdKOaP2VB-aLsu2cVA0mx2Hle1BqDGYFuzhkVZ-hwVgGymh9JteMXCt0M4Rkx0NDIL3MgXesLNUwkbaEQyLURUdbOLjWUfmsiEYSWMHKwgHt_udfwJTBHi3K324NDW1FVl2J/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09416" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGb307qHVz7pXejAFS0mBPSMRfPLrYLP-fy40HukEq8OLpO-EJ736ATvQoN90Exz1QqE54NWuA816aYFKSGm0pqd5vjTJvQiffGh3gdQXHk3BnVVIYVje85m4xMFZ6M5bM347Vv_kYCkvi/s1600-h/DSC094203.jpg"><img alt="DSC09420" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDg8FkkLhqIJZFyistqERq7hoC17FEhtb8t07hWcKRebi8g7KRFJ1WtgUATXS6Ky5YImiaFB3MSjSLYkQ7OPp4_IT28N2w7jWxNPJIeU2zuKlJoy0q9fNrn7jHQ-wJJEH7WJ6yE0kiuNF/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09420" width="404"></a> We all got a good laugh out of this random guy that decided to join Brent & Shelly for a picture…Brent & Shelly didn’t know till afterwards when I showed them the picture!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5xmqYTMsCXKmXSAz9DU2uIARM7L4aSXm0HKA9MWtyg8oLpXvJgrBNz7ABjOBmAwyB3GGxA9t8ZSNzsRP6EKXKSW6UqohbpEM4e3HBOWpa8j22VnUmwthTU-hL5vHa9zK-O3f82CnGzCv/s1600-h/DSC094183.jpg"><img alt="DSC09418" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowcfU7sDbLSwYZ4bhvCyy95lK6lfYSBo403G2NvZ9hZtxFSwZHmQaTbjtg1f3Tj1t81rSFWuVwL2D_B5YkATnISFRXzrmIa9PUZT4KLJ8lyufHnjnRvLXQ2TKrMbM8DoXegY92044AJhX/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09418" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntVpk7C7vIm53gZDoVSjMKe3Q0IJ_Vh7DOh2Upv6RqJXgRYTRxb9xLyygbogZeGP6qvr1wKv_SRAJ3ZVZxCT6qPmIgUkniXLUYlSSoR-8pxCgu3puAehgOVz7e0_2Fwvo3Q0wVOdcfO2S/s1600-h/DSC094173.jpg"><img alt="DSC09417" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WIU8JtJYlq5NEl5wzaqui_bwF1GNZtpdMnrs6SwXvmfvf9cijeianPAB9YBdd3awxCMsHtVbWAE2VdLSWOXQr68nEl1GuZ-XJsHH1N9_RJCHH1VfWuWhIwYYLBCss50jqJiwPp5X1WrQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09417" width="404"></a> I think it’s funny I mainly only took pictures of dessert! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hebjfsNOociM1WzZ-8d7-9UJax7fDP7gScEBNi9GWqliAlOUbPeECUu8ZawINpmly-MN9EsmvhWv8rv8mXHL2Z7CaRqE-B0iW47pTnFjNMrksOKqwJQE-9Bjq3llZi2pua5-1lmrzPgH/s1600-h/_DSC21223.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2122" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx-piPxSdt6ch6nOTGc9qhjBgZMBXGwxmroxYJYdnrv0sYwnn4Y502eN2GE2GlUTcjBgul8TEPv9pe8AzfEQaaCJH08HWV6QyYG9Qc43GOmTvKiG-bmUkNrOg9tKjeA0n1W_hlsQiwmhY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2122" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoQ4OBUOzfCFRTqeXSrfoCtpuluC-yDnhIT73K6e-PY1-eS6Bxpk8o2_4LZEWd1QEEQefGB6EXU8Y6aYbBiVQ1P-6SGGpaZNNKLDSdH5kTchdJRG48vCK9l-jlBIiaNPp3o8akPNpaIr6/s1600-h/DSC094233.jpg"><img alt="DSC09423" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NA6bUVBloPboMY_4FEUMHKhhtYRc2Z3J4J-SuxrqSGSh_jVhZf5aN79A9fkIYgHhkwEjBRN7D6zXZQ82fsdh8n-sMTr85bvYocNYnog3Kwcszt-yqMKtE3UgkUoNmtX6B9QewNXmTWMl/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09423" width="404"></a> After dinner we hung out in the Centrum, enjoying the tree that was put up while we were at Costa Maya for the day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQjkKYXCBMFDsfiLCyRSIlnS06RaR9ISvB9dwT35DnaBkg7UHW1e8fieS_OaouELmXnjTSTGbtqanRG69IIxmQTiYfef80yjiy0dBhsQ0Q_o8OqJPhGdJcGmiYCezCNlLhW04vALehR-V/s1600-h/DSC094333.jpg"><img alt="DSC09433" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2mN8_tM_QR5q8nrf72TDIzeile00htI23JSw2l4_3sPUGEmvW7wI7PsFAWu6bDspq4lSVHer7osNh7dGPIDeNqUULcrI9SGKJUVYYkkGW4tk_A-Hjssfg-zmnPPIFn2f25LvGO7W_F97/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09433" width="304"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV9Ny6zHoq9ztb-at62_KHLIBC11zYKoShf8VCsuLqwdPb8fZi4H_6IItrvghrygu5g7TWTa5n7J8IYW4LB3QaxSbuPI6HPixNSA52zYVRUVl1PU-EzbcjVxpIEKWEWG9xJMtDHhRtAIn/s1600-h/_DSC21265.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2126" border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMijgi2uuwS38g9BNf-zMo2nlJj5n-SmT5VDMVyFVaIDrdIii1cZdI8N_xGGA5XbfF4ckLaLQ7ExCyuCWbQHo8zl_thcbbNsP93QzNmuOoNzxigs_MoHAv33_Iv0n_h0XwcuZrm_jxper/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2126" width="304"></a> Us girls sat & chatted the evening away…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbYZsjdTJBZCkKlgbmrUvx3nu6wLgVY-vWQE9qhdA6lQkmzcqdacM-HzBcS0j_rrz09f8ckkk9Wq6-x2KVLBevyy723ZV1Ly36o_PO-hmpZIQNG7nBC5-a3yoXbw2DLiDAGPMJn559q4a/s1600-h/_DSC21373.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2137" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxHk7JuA7ZLLYjmgHsDGuXQ2Qbo_CR3UnHVIC_ydOIPmtzDsIk6pXHWNT__2fzaSMn-Lya0TFDawv2a_IY9Z8lOitZaqM_zNYXIBgohXKrr_ta0ooStMPTDraX0e0HALiKzW6gaWyJzTB/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2137" width="404"></a>    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6s-meYbjG03SvX0LrM7wRxN0uphVpKQkdbNiFtJnkTBsvtpiZN8acrqfRmjXQTpAqDZAkyHuNpBGjKLt5cP-1KxMB5IjuGIvMirpCEdOiEp4W0MrJ3t80RSbUc0hZ_S4VPscT5jVTew2/s1600-h/_DSC21413.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2141" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrPaHJpEmz-8EKVER7_PV9N8y6rlC0nXtcj5yh9j7RtG5c57Anj2xUA1CEm6KBzAyCpZRMOeWIyXuqyrPV1TFSay-jKjSu-p3KxQ7GgAR5sRmfDtaJFgcNFzrQLTlLg5q9lil734OtwjN/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2141" width="404"></a> The boys did…well boy things! ;) Drink beer & gamble!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUOKHximJx_6AERlBqPjtLrOmHK87PzveZnxL8hrI01Xg73qRVV0N9Y2fhkOICt1drzR3hmnF5TSx1ypL5xz5lyn2WGdixn475REn81XTASJVjik63sl1j6RjU4lZZFGKRCDuMn-5z0W7/s1600-h/DSC094363.jpg"><img alt="DSC09436" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXq3pHODww0lTC3lpndIQieHuIdqkJW8LdkRDPTmco4lyQemRI93UH62_p01f7DV6-AW8Zg_RHzh6vX4LWxAwNw5Q6GLvwT7-KEZ6lKZ7VAxtDlRIAyz2hhS42FHAHn78-Wh40ntRIuZh/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09436" width="404"></a> In the spirit of gambling, we played a friendly game of Texas Hold ‘em! Julie & I were the newbie’s at the table, but check out all those chips I have! Beginners luck?!?!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MUcvhRY9q5kbhM624fFJOrLCNTbIA82mc40c6V61JC3cFILHC6hxgP0BeKxgp1mRnrFToroJISJuz_xBU3mwyJLBvyBtadQbMIMKUeuBBDNEfCqMTFfwXbq1RYCfjmDXyikI9bHd0IIs/s1600-h/DSC094383.jpg"><img alt="DSC09438" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_IkPrZdZL6aTUreZPqfHMBRtaqN_xh_uE73JZjDTSRliv42NtiPQoQqlpuY60eKo-iAFXQUYDKddWJK9H62PozvEtQxNqHw_hAg8pWCgsvRE7aeCESFYP6Y4Ziza0osoesXpSFiE6KrY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09438" width="404"></a> Day 4 – Cozumel, Thanksgiving Day This was the extent of my Thanksgiving…lounging on the beach & in the Gulf! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwlngRMNtfutqG44SNZAjI4FSzkmVUMg6ITcX0ouaB0nmPPc8joQCm74y5C8nwWPWUxriNE_e0PpFpnEGPQl-q8odf7S2O8G2ukreleIVArdmavgGMKQ7GKhoawT5JeYvMIga6NkU0hYZ/s1600-h/DSC094403.jpg"><img alt="DSC09440" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HvloNjJXTAirJmPrNfmtoLuuL0aYYPWGcDfXvZ_YsNg5qzwc6vTs4MDxkdEz8IuHHbCyn1tYxWjbF1dSY1AjSr6iDjqtGpukTWZ-s0-Y8IbWacZvXDMNiY-8b8vMcLoigrY6ufi2ixoj/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09440" width="404"></a> It was perfect!<img alt="DSC09449" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugu5fX4W6mYJq8lPguw133RfDofdx9RYAQqvSiBSAaf8HIh3sgBQA4Ux1IIAWy9UFWwogGGb4LUaxNV7y3_L2t_DGY40rIUKXeWVrh8E6lJDUxuLxPjDFRNiZwPvgQuXW7YCSyzFQaRtY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09449" width="404"> So it’s not the traditional day with family, but we were both ok with that! I mean who can say no to lounging in 80+ degree weather!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ims2EB7B3Rang2upRvetzpw8Wb_pKaC4e9GgBv8b80GE9cp2FEQK7uegOJ1QZbG_lXLLBJEAv_52VvkO2NtfuDUjyAEdKuOpQ4yQtaKRKBOQq5Nms_LfAiAKmA3PbKDY1ZxOUjFBLmvR/s1600-h/DSC094413.jpg"><img alt="DSC09441" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNX_8gs3cxYbL-o4r4PHWF4noYdmS0ppapqsz-m5gO15YChNMqiQL-jzYmae6uZ6ZMfPkBtj2vY8u5eaEa8tgLgOwem2MOb68II8_3X2O2CIwBcrd1u9pulXj41Xsw6v5clQx9CdtbODQR/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09441" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsYGGIbymJPRZFwft7a1r6JQMexKu8RT8YhcSd7AkKUBUSFyOJOzAwMMQUObc5qJEJ0i3ytgqZ4EGhLewdeQAgrYnNthtMxiYY3GLGKOryMnuKAiAk-MkXBguISfFqVjqTyEptXp18Gwn/s1600-h/DSC094433.jpg"><img alt="DSC09443" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84Z0vr4NfEZ_QRDxwcrp0QsSqpVN4tyZdyDH44Gv10jYWNLyRzrDQ6LXHsncNao6PgqD0EuiFQi7D12Q9uKyl2burYtoLq4XDHW74gSSV5gS5pRSzZHCe0tciv0EiS0Yh3IdrkGD3CVTH/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09443" width="404"></a> For lunch we sat by the pool & bar, water fall included!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHmEtNUcy-QXNVfsklX7qeVRDb9kS0RkOueY8d4kuu4ZCV1y4JQnH7A_R2pRBHS3eg3sAb5apWrsu8bwOEYKWBcx9V_JP_xFh6x8XnXQrU_1LHDHpwf6rUj6ff5djsSxUYL90W9eZurxY/s1600-h/DSC094503.jpg"><img alt="DSC09450" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S2o4f5Fp9G-0UUJ6KF5LWE7uyyrPY6zh8CwQlyeFB1-QjlQdNbJ8lVSiTWTHIyFLIJxjKJyOMAneXg-CGUaUxXCuA4knXhBrVHu092sFxFFSNSK5fvGMKUwS6oloOq0QccgDvmRKwn_v/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09450" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtO6G8fc-D9J6fwr7W5LUrumxMy-JEAxHeB9VNp-8d10m4SqIMYDrkx8NBNdojWJZaXyB1fxg5r_A7AWFHtd0TuPMb9sRjNk9mFwb9EMobnR_w9QjwVMdpbZgA-Iz76mT0732C3I9ImjD/s1600-h/DSC094463.jpg"><img alt="DSC09446" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwGsLYN9pTtulJdreFoqjl9LwSdgTN3KgCR45vwiBhNAPUX4iDHUsBeTiFmkJvFhUW7T7P5b-i-EXve22xiEWW4zrms3_UkVua9isDg7DaPQbnRvlJOwdBxCQRuQ5xyKbDn_K-02DcMjX/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09446" width="404"></a> Cheers to Thanksgiving vacations!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqUkPPY0TC5fsWzqyuY0ZLM42zG353pHdKq6PpflPzWzIGwBR6m_qOnHK4FM5Rttl97-1f6CCtPnreb2zL2X3VmpkY-FWw9XNVliVyu-RrcSkOIhuuxy9Oqr64ty_e6t-JVCn8jucZuhs/s1600-h/DSC094473.jpg"><img alt="DSC09447" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfe_uW0ky2rASp5q5agoa5kjQJ3UTj1Rq1oPngc_QHIRSzbde-bAgVU8oQDwPQg8XEZBjaQ0LNOxWOrPQ_6hLmriUBqnpEDMRrP7nlEDt8mLhyphenhyphenZ1gOR_j-cemMalnXbGklRk_gvj8XJxW/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09447" width="404"></a> Do nachos count for Thanksgiving dinner? They were delish!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIMDI6bTw5rajL3oaYg9EIouO1LDjLZzibl1j_jckeIn9aeFzUn27IG_KvNZeH2uY_k3q0F98-uvsXt4QepgojzeVTnSuPfMMjNgoGK3GjlCaKVVrkhuxmvgFvxEtTszHASOtPWOSD1WV/s1600-h/DSC094533.jpg"><img alt="DSC09453" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRcl_55tPRqi99Y0tHk4beL1nARyhNBuDLuCeQ6AegjHcIMFCbZ7168UaGqeHQyToksadJbfw6vS0ximwhofAGDWlekYeAAyu1kQDV-LAC2y5V2Tyu2GJ2a2EsklEAp6U7rsNCDf768nR/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09453" width="304"></a> So when we pulled into port Thanksgiving morning our Captain said we were docked next to our big sister, the Liberty of the Seas, he wasn’t kiddening! I thought our boat was big!<img alt="_DSC2146" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKAADVRzpvLa4AK-c3ZfPgE2-iRCUIBzSXBJ4LnwNRyg7YGZN6GbOVi-Ttznk5CsiSCL3VkKb2E7OyXbvoKl1nsmBc8VrZfYZh81GcKbrtN-GRzHbk5Xg6eoQG-ZBWG33qgCB9RvOG_xm/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC2146" width="404"> It felt like we were walking in between 2 sky scrapers, rather than 2 boats!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknVm7PlEBhRK6wFu_YVXoPSNh0ixMr1RxgY1iWy05RWVPJFV4zUBb850WyfrnXPRdmoL6BDJiuBZEl59oW2mc5R-VC9FQI19UPVYxODQXplL0s2kKHrWJLsETXyPn5y7Xg0uIafxw59n1/s1600-h/DSC094643.jpg"><img alt="DSC09464" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGnaunjlxemwtk9oeRyvOhdQ4f0MEL7FH9gxwRa0VORjS4SXYu_DRKNyjRA2xh2sp546o8yVvP1zVGj1Zl5hScZ1m0toMJNpMUVBImyL9V0glJhZaHGM_si-2gZwgmNo1mwhoKcrpJuVN/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09464" width="304"></a> When it was time to get back on the ship we headed to the front to see how everything all worked!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIw5OxOO1PzjB8-M8sz4AWfiXrTzNgQn44elPH6IwRM-Ht6-AqCr0Cg7d58Og4hhBBINEzs_8spthdZnsIx6T4S0ibjDw7FUqsVG8S_mgrmtin2uWBWq-eFUWhNmj2k57mOtC3unsHePj/s1600-h/DSC094743.jpg"><img alt="DSC09474" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXZBIBWlqTUmIPX7k27z-FW85X5BDq7NXKJG5GGmjjGVNGLbheEMWrsohfiGthFxEgUPst7g79qtnn3ZOoQoxr-u8xIbcDoPqnkZErbZGszJEqqFlscDrj2bGLuiPYSlW7ckFgWAJckho/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09474" width="304"></a> Look what we saw, a boat that almost sunk that was getting pulled into shore! That sucks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFanLrXl63ofdv_xNmouWG2o9BiAT2lnSkKlywzuZE9kSmLCJiCi0KjWvrtO9PAYUD6U4Q3TphOCyBme3vxG2kRqJAx-hqpI0yuhVP9zcMfbx1KSvp0ZduBBPoF-CFtkJBy58qXaJVy1GL/s1600-h/DSC094763.jpg"><img alt="DSC09476" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dqYnvjR53lPCCJBnoVBQCsrgJHMCYoNo2eQlu8cl4X_Mxatc8Au0zmCTIndaomdTIC3SPQRBpYmLQvoZVca9qHQOjZqVr70n5pN-yME4gn8fkuZ5s3eaet56sv0WDrezmoFKGHTQwV8H/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09476" width="404"></a> See those ropes, they are actually HUGE!! And those 2 guys laying down were just waiting for there cue to un hook us!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ghGpxlswOoy989lPs88ntOxHRqgtUqsL_5po9dnm8ti19BkujYDKdkWzdoa1pJxvg8EzzAFAywqEEpslYNBexxOLtjFq_rODjbrtfFg6kkB9t1TlpNZSTr1_Lm-EF8ya0Hj2rTDeVd1d/s1600-h/DSC094773.jpg"><img alt="DSC09477" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomoX9oJ_o-LUoslPPop3tFU2kl_xEON-smiDQITBvXey50c7rJ7wplJSdg9B7JxEsvNHSVeldK7nYllKbE5ERQyOMWf73J-j23mQLcju5sdMkqLK5XbSgyB1mk8CM05vgWHUum0qwwbkd/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09477" width="404"></a> We watched us leave port and waved goodbye to Cozumel. Then it was that time again, to eat! ;) They had traditional Thanksgiving options on the menu! I went for the ham, it was BY FAR the best ham I’ve ever had!!<img alt="DSC09482" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy2VIHnNdjZhGxyvqGod6dYO98YFixtOyXS24f33GSNq5ulZL7zu6sGo6BtdU0iNBUYhy9wlFAOHRaZ20M1tZNa3j8zkeXJDwEiB_R-dAq5IetvAeLklSVRDPcn6sXfjZmdWeYN5S4F4D/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09482" width="404"> Kyle went for the turkey, he said it was awesome!<img alt="DSCN3862" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8h1VqXnxHYr7DS6rYYre0LZYKDvI8X97i9KMXlhW6KSI16DWb_cflg9wQDBlqDQ4C-YqyJYWL1_ViAAEZUXGbgzjjhzIBrReKg5OMptBoppYoYqXLUFHF2WszR8WZr4Wpd36FnDBKkJc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSCN3862" width="404"> I’m so thankful for this wonderful man and that we had the opportunity to go on this vacation with family & friends! We are truly blessed!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qlJk_DC6keVKDyfdA1ec9rYd4jYDfEZW7Vqx0N9QWrsqPDGdIG1A9s9ISpQFTQ67w6nZIzwiZko-dgdTEIaYztlL81cK6TMhwddiTscwn4g0_oWVvSTwxAjgGNTzUVycuQ4Gd5HhRbQP/s1600-h/DSC094833.jpg"><img alt="DSC09483" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnzgRhkFxXUuoPnRTu5Ebzj1SamFquCtB1iu_C_3ftdwguA-0fueurASiYDcNjX3jpYd76NWf7x0KTNZGRaggklNGnq8hrCk34llO9y-ogMf4axvpWOvf4agamH4Xbek-9Q2p0zi6oYhD/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09483" width="404"></a> No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without apple pie a la mode!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2hSJ-IStKaleMapcGjd98KAOzCWl2Bb-H_4mmyylrRHDLn7bGNhk1iahta4OEzIjv52uyY7yybuLaNzTouJcpSd5BR2R5YViOgAIj7GC87eoFu_oISeII5NG-SOMgHyWbyOo93zstMcC/s1600-h/DSC094863.jpg"><img alt="DSC09486" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheXVulS55_XcDwC8v_z5b5BIEeex1mJtuNQJEKqbq7zD2FeD-oYHJqCc6VDkbPMLHvza1wmoxqIz4-mAvdrY7o5XEDjrlibr-5szS9XXvgMhb9IgML-LYrxymDPTqMz101X2NQPhLjHQC/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09486" width="404"></a> Or pumpkin pie! ;) Yep, once again I had multiple desserts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0K0CJXIlWXowmvkso3mIafbm3yNMjLC-Qvq_qnHX0ZLKPp-Wtt0jNmkTHsQ4aSQpE734nGfq2X3YLpijxN0_fiMu-k4vg5sZWbezwY1QAJ5BuW7SL32trMDPu7HfDNIgNHiadB98-pFG/s1600-h/DSC094873.jpg"><img alt="DSC09487" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWVONcMTh0y6Si2ZD20aPCyP1YhW7njGqB8Qp5F8r61bhjTARGYz-9bPbUK5Nx4fgVKonmjwZ-O5aeBXdQkXscA-8mdLUnrToKneieh77y9hfByhHQUajIBznjqmEM-GcGU2CaxOc5dQM/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09487" width="404"></a> The show that night was the Love & Marriage game!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL2CpxnysceHTl2UcgEDrRH4LpmY9lAIPRhjVK6ZwkRQIRAR3DyXzL2rB3vW8q-dSMu9E9POpxtJAAm66HWPknvz-Ub8RIaGgV3_WExmkpUMMDfUcy4AHLQ2a8inMguDxhvUc23hHxGRl/s1600-h/DSC094893.jpg"><img alt="DSC09489" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I28VsbeBFRLD3iyta9YVDNQw4oNeUp3iYklBswcEdtFLmfMkrziz21WM4RRxps9E5CRADFzgJUnqWjzxIvcNgSTC1HPrYvtOaWdGtqoNH57OA5aW1X1DPRGtIOb184p5kiclNvs2Sxnd/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09489" width="304"></a> The questions & answers kept us entertained!! I even quizzed Kyle in our seats!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyzQsGZL1dDiW1wrAygISTtxrtowj6M5cra8ke-e6tZac_AoaK7MrDRv4GCBoSYGmE1unDCmbaA96rfj8Xs8mjOgfZCrwJQPH2y8ykUCOrdN1ocx104YzKK-9WxhP1gokdoiUlM4ftbFg/s1600-h/DSC094913.jpg"><img alt="DSC09491" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudME1TFPz8TryvmqRmkWo90XSOINTKqPYT3qSxG7yNcTNR1sslBMCbbbxxEwXsjR74uqVcDeDgGXuBVYTiC489kdfto7naSu6h9a6vE0bB7WTWUiH2FC-fZLHXbF2o0jGzxyWZq_nqFeo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09491" width="404"></a> Day 5 – At Sea Friday came & was bitter sweet! We looked forward to a fun day on the ship, but it was our last. :( We spent the day at the pool, in the sun, and of course eating! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ha78Z_ZZbnunXEM7lqBhua-8dVq1esMToOCDmRpe9IhOR87wZ9oElKh87zfEj3t_1KewcKZ_jm9phLckrVHLHrV8__26KiwCmd7G-TsVMgHma-QCb6Siw4LFXAFVAXzJx-9sNLqhYsNZ/s1600-h/_DSC2347%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2347" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzI5q6P4Jc-HrSPNKwaA9KXuzy6YZlMeAmADdbOuv8IinOFQjUwsullFduT_jEnU6KIWNV3Rpe-fWYXo3hokkWX44WBkfLWyme0LtxTae43FRXJy_ELT6BoXfCFs6qc-M_HmqNKgCqbCu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2347" width="404"></a> So jealous of my cousin & his new wife, they went with us on the cruise for a week, came home for 4 days, got married, and this week they are on their honeymoon in Jamaica! Sounds like an amazing 3 weeks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuD9OqdVLTV3c38ORonpOhH4jN8jNraTLJbGQvAKTjSOZEfnKpki6WT2cjnSO8Q-6acGANozqr6jqobbvuaFxA1I6Q33ocebzVldpytF0y_eZwIvCo9XLu25Ak-1ggDkKad9vNqKQhJ6r/s1600-h/_DSC2348%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2348" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoGMdho5pz-LaAYhuFS5xhm1HrKaoeXPCfpujcoxHtmKHVlWSCsxu9qYWPg3qOsCPNvFB4FC4rt8kFlA4GNBI1Wf6CdDpZW-QkFODhSlmXGNWzZRVs96P0jjoKU71Qcbz8L0t101q_11a/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2348" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL5K9Q3u3v7OkyctDyUX4qTxePRvvgNuOb7u0lb-NIXmbyGGA9k-1T_F0K0lZdnF8hGtasyPQmY05U8agk8H88YRLhA9Yy-bW9_2Ve7HD1_baEWxSR-tKVNt2Y9amo1zat6qtr4jP1JAd/s1600-h/_DSC2349%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2349" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrxETnyHjuLl2IP9bPoyhrxvWKcs092jKY22u-pTdoKSHPlLMGzC1NBiV7De8t7XKARdF7wdRxpmRrxD2E9nSzOubf2kH2eT9cHg4wTB0yl5yHy-mm9XK-fYTHwPOcMiuooTnu3hsyMvb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2349" width="404"></a> Our last dinner together on the cruise. :(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEwx_2zU_wjpfOmwBd0j0sTuoU5kAR8TFa5SoDz3Eq5A-Sh2FyOQRcGy_9yaJEOuseUqP4_dbvCIQxbXadM_Ff-Q2hqnCCXymdznoKgakAHxNHeu93_OzqND_J0xUcBlHqrddmxiYPspk/s1600-h/_DSC2350%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2350" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO-fJw3dwv7rdkMRx7YBhynGc1Oy6Vu4kuQ4rEMvx89lZevzZOsLbYYxiy876e28ESekrDPgLi_NuCQhokm8O6n9ZPfziU9y5Y9NUlzoJWsdaSTnhCatk8C-MLpgHE1yPKVCGUUimarra/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2350" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxaqHytG51bJZOHJiW1xM05rzTGdtBqNmmzguvowBH9BAwFEgTiF88huYEoI3DTV49-jtFZMRmpqcBIgfl9eSC5J9BMf6jJG8-A_1eAqJxoSmcp-8a3pkfQzSpapAgtb_foH-yBnWAHAn/s1600-h/_DSC2352%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2352" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_lalR1ZFgrlIyDMUvooqo4LuUh-VA42p8zjqDvfZJpoqLlF1Qb4EiLFwCPDEkR8sfF0bGi1OAf388RBfYASy7kqrDNiDl91pbQvaYgc64ORXCuLAXF8HekNOFXCAvw8SECNl3QvSn5PU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2352" width="404"></a> I think the chef saved the “fancy” foods for the last night! Mindi was excited to have lobster!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsW4yHnZytRnWfgQGpk7FPbUbyZ1ajlvC5wceKfgnSRmR0ONaXCUb7445ceyTaphz9oMIJ0EI7XcRsferG8No3z7RPQRlhztugjvrMu2Cc6Fq8r7mMXx5747q9npgJ1-OzJPzCh1bTVyC/s1600-h/DSC09495%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09495" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HhLCIYktMdOmlt4-dEzJzHpjpynSOZiMitEB04lLKq9D4aW7DjMfUNFxtTh6RhVo9qOt0vyDpyMQAsM5tJ717LziziX2CsJTTmfRLktAWPLLEbiZM39MH8x2lOrwCNLYpqOnftASjxSC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09495" width="404"></a> Going in…and she liked it! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTHDKy8k07npIzKcYLLRGB9LRQ2JLCuD2rgC264s6-OoreiWfuuLc7we-Yx7yKNkqVFW4ab2qqFX0Vazr0qvIgnI6fajoW0XDZxVk40_DcAmdKAZrCX6kBN-9QmDSqeRHjDjBDpnarP55/s1600-h/DSC09496%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09496" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lmgt78-AeCiynZiJh32ES8xXY38KRofg9HumorY-YcLCnwFYTeOIkcBprzKIdN-LZg_tIoRj_rOvu8Rw9LfOhP-3_zuIKyA3vFHVdlB8YokPDGqzmI3nByy7n1QJrgexl3v2CworLr0r/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09496" width="404"></a> Us cousins like to be silly! Keep things fun! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TIHxROFErnWqk-591Y_pJ9YbZ8F8x5kXAASxujMJVemEh5EgyLNU-WBearMobl5x2lxzcR5S6qoN4KuAhbhHTlHkICHKERK58u0BzNvH_L3fnMYNsmrJkDC3ufGuz_Vz2FeASSKmbEpD/s1600-h/DSC09497%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09497" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S6j3-MX1lLUQ1i9ZjQa6P8a_cRLsCurqB00rnc4B1EDk07z-ehDM4tEujXI9KhKMywCmYsvbMGLGHC5ogdgRjbHnsiJLoBQnNEhJzp65RfOyvXfa2_24wZBIs5ZBuk2SOaKfY2yuKq1O/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09497" width="404"></a> The waiter even took the lobster out of the shell! What service!<img alt="DSC09498" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfIwDlDgPwFTh35y5Pm3nrOFZeDxPHUl8bVDAJY9004ipfWrZ5HZulEsaSLpnoADtRcSz4XzgHFZ529UcnE5YZduYKEBqqKx3kgaPP3lovdjZR5_8hhFEReicEwZnBKxfsSZg3Mo-dO33/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09498" width="304"> Kyle & I aren’t sea food fans, but he decided to give it a try! I think that’s an “I’m not sure about this” smile!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHpBD5jFGrCcChynij6Tcs9xs2gCqaLetyBpTDbmQCbVTDvwJSuDeOtox4SMMDxL_LBpUjNqDgCjdeZlOPNXvS-wei-GheeYoBpWlyQkrcQKgdE3yKLUlO7Sfbh3aEfub06KG6i_rB9zo/s1600-h/DSC09499%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09499" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq_LJvsCgNjJRBhrb9oSou1rXUYQhmQrmqdDJRzQkVj_EZU-HOCLp7valz8lb8qFBAz5gJ7Az4JU8JuEVetKtlexCptOhHLMd64YnKtuOITqBwy4cXxeSkFS4c_q0YbM9TmYQaRNAiy4Z/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09499" width="404"></a> Still smiling….not for long though! He wasn’t a fan!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-IiDZx3ls_DDcZjM8moplm1nyUJvm6tjlOgN5APUpa1pdEVlVaQmd68z-w_PzInora1o8w_ORCG63LJlrs2ePoD72uvfDd4SLtPfISksXoUqwLmpdIstHq79X4StTeYO7hyphenhyphenY9f36hFby/s1600-h/DSC09501%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09501" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqs1du8DB3P22K7g2L22quT0Qru_fjzkTYaq8o-QnlwO9qbNNocBApHl0KfmozVJR2ydD3JYQVZwEauI-iJqUucTBA9Ou70hg8TKJkJdl1-utAIWsvrEfyR3pTQBDCk1J5GNYX68RLwWE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09501" width="404"></a> We decided we’ll stick with dessert! A triple threat this time! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eUWOLVHH7Penmsie7Su1q6ZlFAoj7gwhq3te7-_OfI1C5VS8GDbLqHvNlMtTaEEBp0MQTk8SppU4wJbApAfOT6DqBKL6nQpvgJIoeHm8XuYXdGaxdN4yrm3eYJV3CSA1Hi6O80Gw2rgz/s1600-h/DSC09502%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09502" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr24NJxfkptOBKGr3E1bt41jBxd_IHExNlfF1PVR54Ke9eKijwVD8RZFFRTwtW_CF8y8qCaap5kwFW7eaiwUk4CYe-h7mGrmRCpzoTM1TjT7VKSLayMb8EyNt12VIT5XAzays4BqFjFhb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09502" width="404"></a> There was a variety show for the last night! Music, singing, & dancing! Very fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXHDS8qhf0A_YeeTaEH8apyfIqtrXp8PIoOli-azamB4lPzYjw9lMLHl1jUsB-fovcbEdBHEr9rRRaupJRGn_SCWkdlZp-Vbto-OR6SNSLBaBEQLaBruPm7clHzC4cFsj8Cnfjwi_ixlQ/s1600-h/DSC09503%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09503" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq1Oj0Rwz_fMX56x4_VV19onmEKjdySevP6IarsNjl4_-csJKZG50gc4Gq3ZzmVwLXssn-iVHBMMErXuWES1zNKB9d_lVSEo7hYsCBQOty9Pzzz1ZD8yAa7-v8IHvAATMu54f6lHFuk8v/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09503" width="404"></a> And a former Olympic gold medalist who did circ de soleil, but comedy too!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCeVliYImjqoQZJ1KKTXZgL-2UHwv-QZ96WtAnfcv-Xk-8uiefNH6Jatr532gHFPQAB_snCy8o4yvX38CZGP0-vPi4axB_q0YShJ6N0KNqiWswn0sZMM9RI7ULNb6-wEJmdtjRMKMNuHf/s1600-h/DSC09508%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09508" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglVqCfaz-l-jmMPhQH-pKYJlNbbHG9Ixj3llHZ9urRk0bPrQ3d4Fp2TUjMK4STe3ZFlySzLsbUM2nZE0cKhlREUyHhLpbA72KGuBfHB9h_NiUKg2EjZxXxBcz76lpN-5rwGBC-k8eCsbT/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09508" width="404"></a> This dude was pretty impressive!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4M6Pdtx1AVCEfnwsF7YGi_ixY1GtJUxXRCQ3w-VNaB5p1eaZ5vf9-hRNDDIMcnVxKHjKWyj-YqS5v1MPeyXoWFiSWoWMNOkzTmRz1IH8kGkiBuzGeKuByUcUumBt-mLT3e-UevikbLUV/s1600-h/DSC09510%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09510" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsn-ggu1pkxtCG-ZNQhlPnU9xSMlwlVEVhiUGio-m3DeHITBY1FtDZtK8x5WWpolHcSL5EHAC-KbzyuvBN8R-wQN7vZR0Ye8JkhDwaeVflwHy1PQ5L-vj4wX2Vu9BFsdpzPwSp9CabZtEK/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09510" width="404"></a> Such fun memories!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj3FNOh4gs1EsgkLOgeKff1nCgFckGfxwXL2P8Dg7ELnU2IXn1bAokkfYfsG_gaaGgSk0mlOc0k8PVQdihe554bIIp35Jjxy3EA19z9IpvK3dF9BYEBmhS336IKGm6E5rieQkZp2caU5t/s1600-h/_DSC2385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2385" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB36e_pRy1X-e7BQiNLTTkRrnsa1JybpTcQwQoK9_Z-vcrEotjyraet2rpDRpA0LBjkPbW9f6LEyG8Ke0bGwqcQrOe0qFIUqG4dSckfkq3sCvabNGj9hiDiqJFHCEe36bw0NcK4V_PO5AD/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2385" width="404"></a> We docked the next morning at 7am and got off the boat by 9am and headed to the airport. Can’t wait for our next group vacation!!<img alt="_DSC2377" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENynHRzwhrdP10NPyVbVsyoAtqnFRp1yYhvPgjVzQ15BE49XU1a3Y7kJPI6T8Ek71-0jcd5Ay24IhDfab_4Cc5SxMr1RgHpVmELZ3OHIRkvsdFtSMFj8u2H-DLb-bPq8e9JMhlLh6gm9x/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2377" width="404">

Family Fun Cruise – Days 3, 4, & 5

Just in case you missed days 1 & 2, click here . Day 3 – Costa Maya I woke up at a perfect time Wednesday morning, I worked out while ...

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The Asian Journals Of Bishop Dan: Part 7

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Family Fun Cruise – Days 3, 4, & 5

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