Day 533 - I Love My Birthday On Facebook!

This morning I actually did yoga! It was great! I laid the mat out on the tile floor in the sunshine & away I went. It was great to soak up the vitamin D & focus on some flexibility & breathing.

The weather is glorious & I am determined to enjoy it to the fullest. I sat outside & read through the copy of Cesar’s Way Jaco bought in the Barbados Airport.

The rest of the afternoon I tidied up the room & put things away. In the evening, I attacked the MagicJack. It never worked from the time I sent it over with Jaco to give to his Mom so she could call us in Canada. We tried to figure it out over Skype when I was in Canada & he was here, but we had no luck. So tonight, I tackled the MagicJack.

It took a good 2+ hours, but I finally have it working. Of course, if it wasn’t for the live chat support, I would have never figured it out! The computer settings were registering an older version of Windows than what it actually had, so the MagicJack didn’t think it was compatible. That & a few other ‘minor’ things had to be fixed. Happy to say, it’s now working!

I was just headed to bed, Jaco was already asleep, and I thought I would check my emails before I joined him. When I opened up my laptop, there was Sylvia! On Skype! Yay! She phoned me & we were able to do a video chat. I was able to see brand new baby Colton! Of course, big brother Drayton was there too! It was great! What a perfect end to the day!

Oh yes, the title of the post! I was delighted to see over 90 birthday wishes on Facebook & a few emails today! Wow! I felt so special! Some of the people are ‘acquaintances’ on Facebook, but nonetheless, it was meaningful that they took a few moments out of their day to wish me a happy birthday! Thanks! I spent a while responding to the greetings… It really made my day!

xxxxMaria

Day 504 - Curaçao

Humming right along with my sprouts, I planted the wheatgrass, peas & sunflowers. The other sprouts continue to be rinsed & some will be ready by tomorrow night! I don’t have the proper trays & I couldn’t get stockings to cover the trays with, so I’ll attempt to use the spray bottle again this time around. Hopefully I won’t get any mold & will get a nice even growth. I sprouted more seeds than previously, although I did spread them out over 1.5 trays apiece. Here’s hoping!

Jaco & I went out in Curaçao today. He had never been ashore there, so I was happy to show him around, although we only had 1.5 hours. He had always looked out from the ship & didn’t think there was much to see. Truthfully, in town, unless you’re shopping or going for a meal, there isn’t a whole lot to see. Out of town, there are plenty of beaches & great diving! Sadly, we didn’t have time for that! We walked past the new hotel that has gone up since I was here in 2007. There are plenty of typical ship shops – Diamonds International, Columbian Emeralds, etc, etc. We then walked into the Old Fort, with more shops & little cafés – it has a nice ambience to it.

Exiting the Fort, we came to the swing bridge, but it was closed to let ships pass by. We waited for quite some time & finally took the ferry across – about the time the bridge swung open. We visited with one of the locals, took a quick stroll down the main pedestrian street & a few souvenir photos before it was time to head back to the ship! Jaco had a hankering for ice cream, so after we’d walked across the swing bridge we stopped for ice cream in the Fort.

We made it back with 3 minutes to spare! Here’s hoping we can get off a little sooner in Grand Turk! We were both commenting on how hot it was & how nice it would have been to be in the water today!

I went up to the gym (day 2!) & decided to do yoga out on deck. Bad decision. I used to do yoga outside all the time when I was on the Sun Princess. This is a sister ship, so the layout is pretty much identical. Well, something must have changed. I was in the exact same spot as I used to be & it was disgusting. There were bits of carpet, hairs, dust, dirt, passenger receipts & paper towels whirling around in a wind tunnel in the exact spot where I’d chosen to do my workout. Gross. I blew the bits off my laptop about 6 times when I finally decided it might just wreck my laptop, so I went inside. I had to compete with the loud dance music playing in the gym, but I managed to fumble my way through the remainder of my workout. I’m pretty out of shape. My poor arms were buckling & shaking like crazy on a few of the poses. My balance is also a little lacking. It will be a few weeks before I can handle crow pose – that’s for sure!

This evening, I had the pleasure of dining with Larisa in the pizzeria. I met Larisa when I sailed with Jaco on the Star Princess in South America. She is a Photographer from England & has a passion for travel. So much so that she only spent 9 days at home on her last break! That’s impressive! She’s making plans to travel to Costa Rica, Barbados & Thailand for this holiday coming up. We had a wonderful visit – in fact, we were talking so much that I didn’t even realize we were the last two left in the restaurant! Whoops! I haven’t laughed that much in a long time!

She recently took up running, so I took the pleasure of introducing her to Lululemon. When we came back to the cabin, I showed her half my wardrobe. I think I’ve piqued her interest! She’s also an avid diver & was my buddy last cruise in Dominica. She’s leaving at the end of this cruise & I’m going to miss her terribly. I’ve really enjoyed seeing her again! But that’s the beauty of ships. It’s never goodbye. Only goodbye for now. You always bump into each other again somewhere down the path.

Jaco was already in bed by the time we came back to the cabin, so we didn’t visit for too long. I’ll see her again before the end of the cruise…

But for now, it’s bed time. Tomorrow is a sea day & Jaco has asked me to join him for the Captain’s Circle Luncheon. I’ll fill you in shortly!

xxxxMaria

 Swing Bridge

Day 492 - At Sea

This was an exciting day of raw food creating. 

Well, I tried at least! I made raw lasagna. Don't ask me why, but I didn't start until late. I think I finished my creation at 0200. Whoops. Half-way through, I managed to slice my finger on the mandolin slicer. The instructions warn you several times not to use the slicer without the guard. I thought I could do it without - VERY carefully - obviously! How hard could it be to slice a little zucchini? And whoops! There goes the thumb. Yeah, I sliced it pretty good. Blood gushed everywhere. I tried to call my husband, who was at work. No answer. I call again. No answer. I page. No callback. I page again. No callback. Good thing I'm not dying! Twenty minutes later he called to see what I had wanted & I told him it was fine, the bleeding was mostly under control. He returned to the cabin & went to bed. I carried on with my uncooking & after he'd gone to bed I proceeded to drop the paring knife on my barefoot. Thankfully it was handle first & not the pointy end! Adding this to the slice I'd given my finger when I was hooking up my scuba rig the other day in Bonaire & I was in pretty rough shape!

The good news of it all was that the lasagna was now done & in the dehydrator. Tomorrow would be a yummy day!

I also managed to squeeze in a 30 minute yoga workout! Yay! It's been a very long time since I've done any yoga - tomorrow could find me hobbling around!

Tomorrow we're off to see the stingrays in Grand Cayman... Time for a little shuteye! (& safety goggles!)

xxxxMaria

 Layering the 'noodles'

Pesto, marinara & ricotta

Day 179 - Trinidad

Today was a new place! Unfortunately Valentina wasn’t allowed off, so I didn’t go too far. I waited until Jaco returned from his morning clinic & then wandered out by myself.

It was a taxi ride to downtown & 45 minutes one way to the beach. As I only had about 2 hours until we sailed, I didn’t have enough time to head there! I wandered around the craft market & checked out the terminal. They had a very interesting display on steel drums & how they were made.

It was intensely hot! I love to feel the heat & have my skin nice & sticky! Beats the heck out of feeling like an Alligator from the moment I arrive in Calgary! I think I age another 5 years each time I land!

Apparently Trinidad is having the worst drought since WWII. Farmers are being forced to sell livestock because there isn’t enough food or water & the cost of purchasing feed for them is too high! Here’s hoping things turn around for this island quickly!

Once I was back onboard, I did a yoga session. Jaco went to the gym & I felt like I should do something constructive. I managed to make it through the entire video – yes, it was the same video I only lasted 8 minutes in previously! Hooray! But I certainly don’t feel very motivated to do a whole lot more!!!

Not a very eventful day in Trinidad, but here’s to tomorrow in Grenada & a fun day out with Valentina! Her first day off in the Caribbean! I bet she’ll be VERY happy to see a patch of grass! (Still no luck with the potty box today)

Love & hugs,

Maria, Valentina & Papa

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Carnival costume!

The Makings of a Steel Drum!

Trinidad - one of the largest islands in the Caribbean

Oh the sun & the sea - that's the place for me.

Won't you take me to... Funkytown...

Day 149 - Recycling, A Baby Boy & A PUPPY!!!!

OMGOSH!!!!


Today was a fairly exciting day when I stop to think about it! Of course I slept late after last night's 'bar scene' & the tummy ache. I am pleased to report that the chills, aches & belly ache are long gone! 


I was disappointed to have missed Jaco's call in the morning. I turn the ringers off at night because some of Mom's friends & family call VERY EARLY in the morning. I was a little bit paranoid that I was going to sleep too late & miss my ultrasound date!


I checked my emails & luckily there was an email from UC Baby notifying me of the password & username. I had one hour to go! I was so excited! I got a little breakfast ready & then prepped the computer for the show. I set up my little camera to record the video cast & Oh My Gosh! There it was! I could hear Ross & Krystle talking and I recognized her sister & her Mom's voices. It was so amazing to see the little baby moving about! Krystle had eaten a chocolate bar shortly before, so the baby was pretty wired! It was moving all over the place, waving it's arms around, sucking it's thumb, smiling, kicking, rolling around - it was brilliant! Ross' family lives in the UK, so it was pretty special that they could be a part of the pregnancy from so far away! The technician waited until everyone was online & we had all had a good look at the baby before he told us... IT'S A BABY BOY!!! I was crying like a baby! I was so excited for them! They are the most wonderful couple & I am so thrilled at the happiness they have found in each other!


The other exciting news was that her sister is having a baby too! Only 2 months after Krystle is due! How fun! A playmate already! Krystle & Ross are off to Mexico for 2 weeks for a 'Babymoon' - they haven't officially had a honeymoon yet, but now they're expecting, so a Babymoon it is.


Krystle & Ross met on ships & I'm a sap for a happy ending. They married last summer & it was by far the picture perfect wedding I've ever been to! Down to the tiniest detail, it was spectacular! Ross & Krystle are both photographers & Krystle shoots weddings when she's not busy being the most creative person I know! http://www.krystleimages.com shows a little of her creativity! I can't wait to meet the little fellow!


I had no sooner left the 3D ultrasound when the phone rang. It was Janis & they were on their way home from Banff. I made arrangements to meet them in Bragg Creek for a cup of tea. 


We met at the Cinnamon Spoon for juice & smoothies & conversation. They had been snowboarding in Banff for a few days & I was fortunate enough to catch a visit. Dustin entertained Caleb & their dogs while Janis & I had a quick chat. We always have a great time, but man, the world is small & it is crazy. 


Janis starts telling me about Dustin's friend from Calgary who has tickets to the World Cup in South Africa this summer. He's going by himself, but he has extra tickets & is wanting to trade them for accommodations. Since Janis knows I have a few links to South Africa, she wanted to know if I would be willing to help Dustin's friend out. Of course I would! But the funny thing is, the gal I met last night, Bronwyn, told me how she REALLY wanted to go to South Africa for the World Cup, but didn't have anyone to go with & didn't really feel comfortable going alone. I couldn't help but smile and the mysterious & marvelous way the world works! Unfortunately Bronwyn hadn't given me her details, so I had to do a little Facebook sleuthing, NOT stalking, to find her... We'll see if I get a P.S. bar or Grenadilla Twist this summer or not! :o)


I said goodbye to Janis, Dustin & Caleb & headed home to pick up the recycling. I thought I would stop by Jenn & Mike's for a quick visit while I picked up groceries & did my bit to help Mother Earth. I pulled into the recycling depot just as the fellow was closing the gate. THANK GOODNESS he let me in! One cardboard paper cut later, I was on my way to the Burnett's. 


Jenn has begun training for her first triathlon & I heard her make mention of a particular book she was interested in to help her out. I was in Costco on Thursday, saw the book & thought it would be good encouragement for her. I also wanted to share my yoga DVD's with her, as she was inquiring about those too. She was thrilled to receive her very own copy of Jillian Michaels 'Master Your Metabolism'! Yay! I'm so proud of Jenn for taking action to make this dream a reality! Her triathlon is August 8th & I'll do my best to be there to cheer her across the finish line!


Harrison played with Valentina again & I tried my best to get Mike & Jenn pumped about a trip to the Mediterranean for next year! Jenn has always dreamed of Italy & seeing as it's my favourite country, I take it on as my personal mission to see her in Italy! :o) 


I left them just before supper & came home to another missed call from Jaco! Darn! If only I could call him back! I had also missed a call from Roxie, the lady I got Valentina from. I called her back & I asked her a little bit about the puppies. I had decided if the puppy wasn't TOO expensive, I'd try to find a way to make it happen. Roxie told me the one pup would be perfect for Mom, as she's cuddly & very pretty. She's not dappled, but black & tan. Okay, so far so good. I ask the price & Roxie tells me 'Your Mom can have her'. I am thinking, 'Have her for what? How much?' Roxie tells me, 'For free.' 'WHAT?! Are you serious?' 


Roxie told me that she was so happy that Valentina ended up in such a good home, she would love to see this puppy end up in the same loving hands. WOW! I was so excited! Wait until Mom hears this! I told Roxie I'd call her back tomorrow after I had a chance to talk to Mom & make arrangements to collect the puppy! Little Annie was coming home!


How much did my bubble burst when Mom wasn't elated!? She didn't know what she'd do with her when she had a photo shoot all day. Hello, excuse please? You take her with you & put her in a big kennel in the back of the truck or you leave her at home with pee pads for her. Problem solved! How many ALL DAY shoots do you have a year? 3? Just think of the unconditional love you'll get! Every single day! Without falter! Annie will never wake up & be mad at you! She'll always love you! No matter how bad your breath stinks or how crazy your hair looks or how much you burnt dinner (not that my Mother does any of these, just for example! Seriously!) So little effort for so much in return. Everyone should experience the unconditional love of a Dachshund. Mom wanted to think about it overnight, so here's hoping she wakes up in the morning with a warm heart & a desire for a cold nose.


What a day it has been! Babies, puppies, triathlons, I can't take much more action! I'm tired just thinking about what tomorrow will bring! :o) Not really, I'm excited!


Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina & hopefully ANNIE!
xxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxxoxx

Janis, Dustin & Caleb on their way back from the Snow Trip!