Cruising and Why You Should Do It: Part 2

Exactly a year from now, Josh and I will be on a plane headed to Miami where we will spend the night before taking our second cruise! 

Destination: 

Cozumel, Mexico - Belize City, Belize - Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands!

So, I thought today would be a good day to add on to my list of reasons why you should try cruising!! You can find reasons 1-5 here!

6. The Drinks

The drinks on our cruise were amazing!  One of the best parts is that I hardly had to go to the bar and ask for one!  If the people working saw that I was low on my drink, they would ask if I want another and get it for me.  Also, I tried a few different drinks but the Pina Colada was by far the best!  I have not been able to find one that compares to the one on our cruise!

 

7.  The Room Service

We decided to have breakfast in our room a few times and it was amazing!  It is really simple to order and the people bring it exactly when you say you want it,  I swear, my alarm was going off right when they knocked at the door.  They were truly incredible!  Our housekeeper knew us by name by the second day, now that is awesome service because he had our entire hallway!  Also, our room was always in great shape and I really loved the little animals they made from our towels!

8. The Onboard Entertainment

 Yes, sometimes the on-board entertainment can be cheesy, but we actually saw quite a few really good shows!  We saw a dance show which was really impressive and we also watched the talent show which was really entertaining!  I also really loved the hairiest man contest!  We just happened upon it and it was freakin' hilarious!  I was so mad at Josh for not participating because he would have been great!

9.  The Convenience of Excursions 
We did two excursions in Half Moon Cay during our cruise.  The first, Horseback riding on the beach, was amazing!  It was great to be back on a horse and we got to ride to the highest point of the Island which was incredible.  I also loved riding in the water and my horses for both parts of the ride were so sweet.  Also, our guides were really good and really funny.  Our second excursion was kayaking which was fun and the area was beautiful but our guide wasn't  too helpful, but honestly it didn't really hurt our experience much.   These excursions were both very well organized.  We were all given meeting places which were easy to find and from there everything was mapped out for us, it was so easy and stress free!

10. The Cups
As silly as this sounds, it's so true!  Each day they had different cups that we could get our alcoholic beverages in and you only had to buy one, then they'd keep refilling your drink at a lower price.  We got to keep all of the different cups and we still use them at parties and such.  I love little souvenirs like that.

 Have I convinced you yet??? If not, head over to Selena's blog and read more about why cruising is so amazing :)

Book Club: The Alchemist

The Alchemist

By: Paulo Coelho

Pages: 197
Read: 1/4/12

"Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts."

 {GoodReads}

I find that people either love or hate this book, I loved it.  I thought it was easy to read, as the paragraphs were broken up, and I thought it was a very inspiring story.  The book is also very short and to the point which I really like, I didn't feel like there was a lot of BS filler which is so common today.   While there are some parts which were a little too philosophical for my tastes, the underlying message, follow your dreams and listen to your heart, is a great message.  It was just a really nice and inspiring story.  The only problem that I had with this book was that the ending was very rushed and I felt like there should have maybe been an extra 10-20 pages. 

I gave The Alchemist a 4/5 on my GoodReads. 

  

Book Club: The Tiger's Wife

The Tiger's Wife

By: Tea Obreht

Pages: 338

Read: 11/18/13

 "In a Balkan country mending from war, Natalia, a young doctor, is compelled to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather’s recent death. Searching for clues, she turns to his worn copy of The Jungle Book and the stories he told her of his encounters over the years with “the deathless man.” But most extraordinary of all is the story her grandfather never told her—the legend of the tiger’s wife."
{GoodReads}

I am so confused.  I really just did not get this book.   There were really three stories interwoven into one book.  I think that they would have been great had they been separate books, but I really didn't get why they needed to be told together.  I just really didn't get what this story was all about.  The beginning kind of set up for this great resolution between Natalia and her Grandfather's passing but it just never happens and I felt really disappointed in the ending.   I think there was just too much going on and the stories just didn't come together.  I really wanted to like this book, but I was just too confused.   I will say, however, that the author is definitely a great writer, no doubt about that.

I gave this book a 2/5 on my GoodReads.  

Travel Tuesday: En Route to Chicago

Right now I am on a flight to Chicago to help my friend Heather move her stuff to MD (then she's moving on to TN).   Things got changed around and we will actually be spending less than 24 hours in Chicago, but I am OK with that.   We will be driving 'til we hit Cleveland and will stay there over night.  After that it's straight on home.  It's going to be an exhausting (and cold!) few days but I am really looking forward to it!

I am excited to see these sights:

Chicago:

1. Willis Tower - and the Skydeck
 When I was in Chicago in 2004 we passed Willis Tower (which was the Sears Tower at the time) but we didn't get to go up to the Skydeck.   Heather hasn't done this yet so we agreed to do the Skydeck while I'm there!

2. Millennium Park and "The Bean"

3.  Navy Pier 

Cleveland

1. The Christmas Story House
Yes, Heather and I are the nerds that are going to go to the Christmas Story house.  It's okay to be jealous ;)

  
 2.  Seeing Lake Erie
While I plan to see lake Michigan in Chicago, I have already seen it.  But I am looking forward to seeing my second great lake, Lake Erie.

 
Other than the Christmas Story House, we are just kind of winging it in Cleveland.  

Follow Me on Instagram: @Jennyferlw for updates!

Book Club: War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds

By: H.G. Wells 

Pages: 232

Read: 10/25/11

"On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles terrified American radio listeners by describing a Martian invasion of Earth in a broadcast that became legendary. Forty years earlier, H. G. Wells had first penned the story: The War of the Worlds, a science-fiction classic that endures in our collective subconscious.

Deeply concerned with the welfare of contemporary society, Wells wrote his novel of interplanetary conflict in anticipation of war in Europe, and in it he predicted the technological savagery of twentieth century warfare. Playing expertly on worldwide security fears, The War of the Worlds grips readers with its conviction that invasion can happen anytime, anywhere—even in our own backyard."

 {GoodReads} 

Science Fiction is a weird genre for me; sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.  In this case it was ehhh.   The whole idea behind the alien invasion is good and the storyline is ok but it was just way to slow for my taste.  Of course, the deeper meaning behind the whole story is definitely human superiority and how we think that we are the shiz, basically.   It's sort of a reality check, like this universe is bigger than we can even comprehend, there is no way we are the only place with life.  Anyways, I just had a hard time making it through this book and found the ending extremely anticlimactic, but I can dig the "deeper message".

I gave this book a 3/5 on my Goodreads. 

Book Club Friday: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By: Douglas Adams

Pages:

Read: 6/25/12

"Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years."

{GoodReads} 

I really enjoyed this book.  I thought it was very humorous with a super fun adventurous side.  I am not usually a sci-fi fan but I actually enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to any sci-fi people out there.   This book was funny, smart, fun and very satirical!  It is also an extremely easy and quick read.  I would recommend it for anyone who needs something fun and easy to read on a trip.

I gave this book a 4/5 on my GoodReads 

Book Club: True Colors

True Colors

By: Kristin Hannah 

Pages: 544

Read: 1/11/12

"The Grey sisters had only each other when their mother died years ago. Their stern, unyielding father gave them almost no attention. Winona, the oldest, needs her father’s approval most of all. An overweight dreamer, she never felt at home on the sprawling horse ranch that had been in her family for three generations. Aurora, the middle, is the peacemaker. Vivi Ann, the youngest, is the undisputed star of the family. Everything comes easily to Vivi Ann, her father’s love most of all. But when Vivi Ann makes a fateful decision to follow her heart, rather than take the route of a dutiful daughter, events are set in motion that will test the love and loyalties of the Grey sisters. They will be pitted against each other in ways none could have imagined. Secrets will be revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both the family and their beloved town. With breathtaking pace and penetrating insight, Kristin Hannah’s True Colors is a novel about sisters, vengeance, jealousy, betrayal—and ultimately, what it truly means to be a family."

{GoodReads}

 True Colors is one of those books that I am not really sure how to review.  I liked the idea behind the story and thought the general plot was really good.  However, the characters really made me angry through about 85% of the book.  Winona becomes more likeable towards the end of the book but I really just wanted to slap her throughout most of it.  Vivi Ann also did some things that really irritated me.  I do like that it was not a hero/villain type of story, it was just very real people.   I guess I would say that this book is decent.  I mean really, it was basically a Lifetime movie with extremely dramatic characters and tragedy.  The idea behind the relationships between the sisters is good and I thought the ending tied things up pretty well, so overall it wasn't bad.   If you are in the mood for something sappy and easy to read, this would be a good book to read. 

I gave this book a 3/5 on my GoodReads.

Wanderlust Wednesday: Culinary

I have a confession ... I am the pickiest eater on the planet.  No, seriously.  Think of that person that you always want to hit when you go out to eat because they get the same thing every time ... that's me.  I have been getting better at trying new things but this is where I seriously fail as a traveler.   A bunch of the foods I tell you about will be Josh's.

Also, sorry for the lack of pictures and the poor quality, I usually eat my food before I remember to take a picture.

I love spaghetti!  But, the sauce has to be my Mom's and if you put cheese on it I will cut you (partially because I don't want it and partially because I am seriously Lactose Intolerant).   So, I was very pleased when I got this plate of spaghetti in Rome and fell in love!   I could have eaten that throughout the whole trip!

Just looking at this picture makes me want to vomit.  I know I am a MD girl and I am supposed to love all seafood, but I can not stomach mussels, oysters, or clams.  Sorry, I just don't do slimy.  My homestay Mom in France took us to a nice dinner on our last night and this was what was put in front of me.  I had to eat it - I couldn't be rude, but I also couldn't chew it.  Seriously, I was swallowing them whole.   Yeah ... never again.

This was one of the meals that was offered on the cruise: alligator fritters.  Josh decided to go ahead and get it.  I like alligator meat but I wasn't sure about the fritter part.  I am glad I didn't order it though, it was a bit too spicy for my tastes.  Josh really liked it though.

Josh got this dish in the Bahamas at Senor Frogs. I believe this is Chimichanga.   Josh actually asked me to take a picture of this dish because he thought it looked really good.  Then, he took a bite out of it and was really glad I got that picture because he was in love!  I still hear about this dish from time to time.  I could never eat this.

Josh got this is Bluffton, SC when we visited my friend, Heather.  I really don't remember what it was exactly but he loved it.

Now this is my kind of meal!  Good ol' Southern food! We got this amazing buffet meal at Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, VA.   It was nothing short of amazing and I would have stayed there all day if they'd let me!

And this is my kind of dessert!!  Peach cobbler! YUM!  This is also from Michie Tavern in VA.  Josh and I were each going to get our own but our server recommended just getting one first and he was right!!  It was huge and we couldn't even finish it together.

Remember Georgetown Cupcakes?  Yes, I am still salivating over these cupcakes!  Cupcakes are absolutely my favorite dessert!  We are even having them at our wedding instead of having cake :)

This meal was from one of those times I decided to try something new. We tried a new restaurant, Tidewater Grille, and I decided to try the Dijon Chicken with Crab Meat.  I had never tried Dijon anything but I'm glad I did!  This was one of the best meals I have ever had.

 This was Josh's meal from the Tidewater Grille.  I had a taste of the crabcakes and they were amazing!  I am extremely picky about my crabcakes (made the mistake of getting them in AZ, eww) and these were definitely some of the best I have ever had.

I got this Cream of Crab Soup at Brooms Bloom.  I loved it!  Really good cream of crab soup is hard to find and this one is definitely one of the really good ones!  I highly recommend stopping in and trying some if you ever find yourself in Maryland!

This was one of our meals in Costa Rica.  Everything on that trip was amazing!!  All of the food was fresh and tasted so good!  I wish I had gotten some photos of the fruits, they were sooooo good!!

Trying new and different foods is something that I am getting better at but I am still really picky.  Some foods that I have tried while traveling and ended up liking but didn't get photos of include: Tapas (all different kinds of dishes), Seafood Paella, Calamari, Frog Legs, Buffalo and Alligator.

Travel Tuesday: Homestay in Toulon, France

I am so excited to share stories from my Homestay in Toulon, France!!

Toulon is a military harbor town on the coast in Southern France, about an hour and a half Southwest of Nice and Cannes. 

We all met at a local meeting point to meet up with our families who then took us in for two nights.  Most of us were super nervous to live with a French family when none of us spoke much French, but it was easily my favorite part of the trip!

Kara and I were placed with Miti.  She is an elderly woman who hosts students all the time.  Her and her son came to pick us up and take us to her house.  Her son spoke pretty good English and her's wasn't too bad either which settled my nerves a bit.

When we got there I was absolutely amazed by the view from her house!  Also, the first thing she insisted is that we go for a swim while she made dinner - we did not object!  Dinner was some sort of Quiche and for dessert we had some amazing ice cream!  That night we shared our pictures from home with Miti and called it a night pretty early.

The next morning we had an amazing breakfast - maybe it was only amazing because we had been eating croissants for two weeks straight, but even so.  We had rolls with butter and a cereal called Chocapic which is pretty similar to Cocoa Puffs.

Today we did a little shopping then went back to hang out at the house with Miti and her friend.   For dinner we went to the harbor and walked around for a bit before settling at a seafood restaurant called Le Mayol where Miti got us Mussels (tomorrow I will talk about how I almost vomited).   After dinner Miti took us to a beautiful little beach where we got to walk around and watch the sunset.

In the interest of not making this post too long, I will talk about our last day with Miti in two weeks :) I will be in Chicago next Tuesday!

Around Maryland: The Irish Festival

The Maryland Irish Festival takes place every year during the second weekend of November. This year was the 40th annual festival in Timonium, MD at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.   There are Irish Dancers and Singers who perform and there are vendors selling Irish food and gifts.

Unfortunately they were super strict with photography so I was only allowed to photograph the Irish dancing, the huge Irish Wolfhounds, and the food.

This beef stew was delicious! 

This dog was actually the coolest dog ever!  He was a Pitt/Basset Mix!  I couldn't get a good picture because he was all over the place.  If I'd had the money, he would have gone home with me!!

My favorite part, of course, was the Irish dance.  It was so neat!!  Here are a few videos that I shot.