The beginning of summer

Okay, it has been summer for a week now but all of my activities are now officially over for the summer and I can just relax.

YAY!!!!

When I was younger I would spend my summers out at my grandparents farm. It was a lot of fun!!! I remember one summer my sister and I 'trained' my grandpa's horses so that they would 'do a we told them to'. I think it was my grandfather who actually trained them and we just pretended we were brilliant horse whisperers anyway.

It makes me laugh to think back to those days!

:-)

being the Chair

Today I held a meeting where I was the Chair. I was quite nervous at first but then I realized that I was doing alright and relaxed a little. People said I did a good job so that is good. Maybe they were just being nice though?

Oh well!!!

A year ago I would never have agreed to being the Chair but 1 year later, I was. It was awesome!

I am very proud of myself!!!

Food

We are so lucky to have food easily accessible to us!!

My niece only eats when she has to eat. I think she is going through another growth spirt as she could not stop eating today! (okay, she did not eat all day)

I wish I could be my niece sometimes. She will be at a birthday party with cake; 'Bella, do you want a piece of cake?' 'No, Thank you'.

What?

It is nice not having to worry about food. I know that I will not starve (even when I get hungry). I have not had to know what real hunger feels like.

That is awesome!

every day

Every day is something that should be celebrated and appreciated. I try to do that but sometimes it is hard.

This blog has helped me but I think I still have a long way to go.

not needing something when you have lost it

I got a notice in March that my cable box was going to need to be replaced. I was supposed to phone them for an appointment. I forgot.

I got another notice in May. I forgot.

They phoned this week to make an appt. They came out tonight.

I had received something in the mail but I searched my house for it and could not find it.

Fortunately, I did not need it.

Michael Jackson

I cannot believe that Michael Jackson is dead!!!!

What?

He is dead! I think that he has had a very rough life the last 15 years or so....

I will never forget my sister getting his Thriller album for her birthday. I am not sure who was more excited - my sister or her friends. Everyone was jumping around the house! It was great!

Watching his Thriller video scared the crap out of me when I was a little kid!! It was the end of the video when his eyes are red that sent shivers down my spine!

My sister and I were listening to his songs today and they are still very current!

He really is a pop icon. He changed the music scene forever!

I just wish he could have died with a better reputation.

(God bless Farrah Fawcett as well!)

Going to movies!

Tonight I went to a movie (The Hangover). I do not remember the last time I went to a movie in the movie theatre. I do not think I have gone to a movie since I started the blog?

The movie was good. I laughed in places that is for sure. It was silly but almost realistic at the same time.

The good news is...I will be going to the movies again in July. I cannot miss going to the theatre for Harry Potter!!! To my surprise, I became a fan of Harry Potter in 2001. I have read all 7 books and own them all as well.

I am looking forward to seeing the movie!

Laid back Tuesdays

I love being able to just relax and not worry on a great Tuesday night! I did have a meeting tonight but it was not too stressful:-)

It is hard getting back to a 5 day week after you have had vacation but the good news is that I go on vacation again pretty soon:-)

What a life!!

Best Attendence

Today was my last day of Toastmasters for the year. We handed out awards. I won Best Attendence. I was not surprised since I only missed one meeting.

It was great! Now I have something to put on my desk!

HEY!!! It is my 2nd trophy EVER!! I should frame it.

LOL

The Father's Day picnic

Today was Father's day. (Happy Father's Day dad!)

Every year we have a picnic out at the farm. The community gets together and we have a short service in the old church, then a potluck lunch/BBQ, and then we play slow pitch in the afternoon.

I went.

It was fun!!

It is nice to see the people in the community once a year.

not driving in a car

It is so nice not to drive. Today my sister and I went out to the farm!

We took my niece (since she is my sister's daughter), and my cousins two kids.

I did not have to drive. My sister did.

I love not driving. I find that I get very sleepy at the wheel and sometimes get very close to falling asleeep.

That is not good!

Sleeping in....

This morning I slept in and got out of bed at 7am. It felt great!!!

I think this means I am over my jet lag! :-)

YAY!!!!!

Being on Time!!!!

Tonight I went to a meeting. I had plenty of time to be on time but I started to get concerned as other people were having issues. I went to this meeting (which was actually a course) with 4 other people - 3 of them were late and the other one just made it on time.

I hate being late to things!! I feel like I missed something!

Fortunately I was early and it felt great!!!

(Happy Birthday James!)

falling asleep...

Tonight I fell asleep around 8pm watching TV. I woke up at nine and decided to take and shower and check my email. I never made it. I decided to lie down for a few minutes before doing anything and woke up at 2am. Fortunately I was able to go back to sleep!!!

I am actually feeling quite rested right now!!

Maybe I am getting over my jet lag?

I sure hope so!!

catching up with my blog

I had today off as well!

This morning I took my car into the mechanic...my tire kept going flat while I was on vacation. They could not repair it!

It was sad. It cost me more money:-(

But I have had the time today to catch up with my blog.

I am incredibly tired right now and cannot wait to go to bed!!!!!!!

a day off....

I did not go to work today!!! I thought I might need a day to recover from my trip. I was right!!!

Unfortunately I also had a dentist appointment. I think the thing that hurt the most was the cost!!!!

But at least I had a day off. A day to recover, do my laundry, relax, wake up... you know...slowly get back to reality.

(A dentist appointment is a great way to accomplish that...)

YAY!!

I do not know if my bank account will recover......

MY NIECE!!!!!!

What day is it? Where am I? When did I last sleep?

Today I started the long trek home!!!

Somehow I made it home...23 hours after I woke up!!

One of the things I noticed about Rome was that the airport had armed guards. That was interesting to see. It was a 9 1/2 hour flight from Rome to Toronto. I then had 4 hours in Toronto and then a 3 1/2 hour flight home. Needless to say, it was a long day!!!

But what made it great was getting home and seeing my niece at the airport. She ran to me and have me a great big GIGANTIC hug!!!! It was great!!!

It was a great way to end a LOOOONNNNGGGGG day!!!

Finally making it to our hotel!!

Today we took a tour at the Vatican...we then walked to our hotel carrying our suitcases. It seems like the longest trek ever when you are struggling with your belongings but...we eventually made it back to our hotel!

It was great!!!!

Rome is a great city AND we did not get mugged!!!

:-)

That is awesome!!!!!!

Chillin' with my sister

Today was another day out at sea. I am sad that our cruise is coming to an end:-(

Pretty soon it will be back to reality!!!

:-(

We are going to have to say goodbye to our awesome tablemates from Britain...

I feel lucky to have had this experience though. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life! (Or as long as I am coherent.)

I chilled with my sister this afternoon by the pool while I sipped on my Oreo cookie drink!

What a life!!!

:-)

I will walk one hundred miles...

Okay, not even close.

Today we went to Corfu (Greece). We took the shuttle bus into Corfu, then toured around the shops and walked back to the ship. It seemed a fair distance but I think that was because I kept thinking we were almost back at the ship. My cousin measured it though and it was approx 2 Km.

So not that far at all:-)

I am very sad though that today is my last day in Greece.

cruising, cruising, cruising, cruising,

A day at sea....

just cruising.

Don't you wish you were here with me?

Cruising, cruising, cruising, cruising, cruising?

It is very relaxing!

We went to a lecture today and I learned a lot!

seeing the pyramids

I cannot believe I am in Egypt!! I never thought I would have the opportunity to see the pyramids - I never thought I would travel to Egypt. But I did! Here I am.

I am here. In a third world country...seeing things I never thought I would ever see. Kids begging you to take their picture so that they can get a few dollars. Driving past makeshift 'houses' on the side of the road. Watching fisherman fish in a river full of garbage and other waste. Will they catch a fish?

It is so interesting! I always knew I was privileged...but being in Egypt has helped me appreciate my life that much more.

Will I go back to Egypt? I do not know but I am not against the idea. My advice is to go with an organized tour though. They give you some valuable information!

Today I went inside a tomb from 2500 B.C. This tomb is over 4000 years old!! That is absolutely astounding!!!

WOW!!!!

pictures

I forgot my camera at home!! I cannot believe I did that!! I bought my camera specifically for my trip....that did not work....

Fortunately I have a great cousin who lent me her camera!! I have had the chance to take some of my own pictures. How great is that?

Today we spent on the cruise ship just cruising the Mediterranean. I keep having to pinch myself to realize I am actually here!!!

We are on our way to Egypt!

(Seriously!!)

Ephesis

I cannot believe I have had the opportunity to go to a place like Ephesis. If you ever get the chance, make sure you go!!!

What is Ephesis and why is it so great?

Ephesis was a metropolis over 2000 years ago. There were actually 5 locations of Ephesis (the city kept changing locations due to Malaria, earth quakes, etc). We toured Ephesis in its 3rd location. Ephesis was home to such historical figures as Alexander the Great, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, St Paul (he preached in Ephesis and if you are familiar with the Bible you may have heard about the Letter to the Ephesians?), also St John (aka the John who wrote the gospel), as well as the Virgin Mary apparently spent her last days on earth in Ephesis. It is really cool to see.

It is definitely worth the money to see it!!

Cruisin' to Rhodes

We arrived in Rhodes this morning and toured the old part of the town. It was very interesting. Something that stands out in my mind was the war memorial to the Jews of Rhodes. Before the war there were 3000 Jews in Rhodes, today there is 35. That's it!!

That is just mind boggling!!!

Rhodes is also the location of one of the ancient wonders of the world - the Colossal of Rhodes. (I am having a hard time spelling today - I blame jet lag) It is very cool going to all of these locations that were locations for the ancient wonders of the world.

Beautiful Mykonos

It has been a long, long time since I updated my blog!!

Why? You may ask? I have been on a cruise and had to pay for internet (and I couldn't be bothered). I guess I am not a very good blogger (sorry). FYI - the internet on the ship was torture!!

So, now I have the privilege of reflecting back 2 weeks to my wonderful stay in Mykonos.....

It is GORGEOUS!!!! That is all I have to say!!!!

We went to Mykonos and we decided to look around for a bit. We ended up finding this marvelous little restaurant (the Oasis Garden) that was GORGEOUS!!! It really was an oasis in a garden! It was very beautiful and relaxing!!

Being able to go to Mykonos and experience the island is definitely something I appreciate.

Being in Athens

Ahhh Athens....what more can I say? It is a very beautiful city!

So what did I do today in Athens?

I took a tour of the Acropolis and then we went shopping. I bought some souvenirs but my biggest purchase was my rug!!!

I am very excited to have a rug from Greece. I cannot wait to get home to see how it looks.

I am not sure but I may buy another rug in Turkey.

YAY!!

Day at Sea

We are at sea!!

Somewhere....

It is nice to have the day to relax if that is what you want to do!! We got up late this morning (around 9:30). WOW!!

Imagine being on vacation and having time to relax...


Just tell Colette that...

Naples

So today we went to Naples - then we went to Pompeii.

It was raining!!

I bought an umbrella and then it broke. It was not good.

Oh dear!!

At least I had the umbrella - especially in Pompeii as it was really raining!

ALOT!!!

cheap taxi

We took a taxi from our one hotel to the hotel where we needed to meet the shuttle for the ship. It only cost 10 Euros. Tres cheap!!

That was awesome.

I am looking forward to being on the ship so that I can unpack!!