While I’ve been frolicking around Charlottesville, I’ve also made a concerted effort to stay in shape. I found good yoga and ballet classes in the area, and also managed to purchase my own GYROTONIC® tower! Here’s the run down on … Continue reading
This edition of “Virginia Vacation” includes a wide variety of places and events that show both the historical side and modern side of Virginia, particularly the Charlottesville area. I’ve broken the post into 4 categories: Think, See, Eat, and Drink. … Continue reading
Working on a cruise ship, I’ll admit, I’ve lost touch with reality. My typical workweek includes about 4 port days, which include beaches, good food, and/or museums. In other words, my job is a normal person’s vacation. When I am … Continue reading
My parents and I spent two and a half weeks in Virginia, celebrating the holidays with my sisters and their in-laws. We did a lot in our time there, so I’ll just hit the highlights! After driving for 18 hours, … Continue reading
I’m not sure why N*Sync popped into my head this morning while pondering titles of this post… In case you aren’t sure what song I’m referencing, here you go. Please forgive my recent absence! I was busy enjoying the end … Continue reading
I’ve already been home for 2 months! While I miss the excitement of ship life, it’s been really great to have time with my family.
The first couple weeks were mostly spent catching up on sleep! I also joined my mom for bi-weekly workouts and had coffee dates with a couple friends. Most of my friends were busy with “The Nutcracker”, and I was able to go to 2 performances and 2 fashion shows to support them.
Big welcome from Bella
One of the best things about being home is having time with my baby, Bella. She’s a beautiful little beagle that became my companion 6.5 years ago when I was living in Fort Worth. She had to move in with my parents when I went to San Francisco, but I still think of her as my dog.
Christmas Road Trip 2014
Mom and I took on the 18-hour drive from Texas to Virginia so Bella could join us for Christmas. Rain and heavy truck traffic (lots of FedEx trucks!) slowed our progress, but we still made it to our house in Virginia around sunset the second day.
Road Trip Day 2
Family and friends were coming and going the entire 2 weeks we were in Virginia. One sister and her husband, my aunt and uncle, and my brother in law’s parents joined my parents and me for Christmas. My other sister, her husband, and a young couple they are friends with kept us company for New Years. After spending last Christmas on the other side of the world, it was great to be surrounded by family this holiday season!
Christmas
New Years
In addition to decorating, wrapping gifts, and cooking, I spent my time in Virginia exploring trails at Sugar Hollow and Walnut Creek Park with Bella, beer tasting at Three Notch’d Brewing Company, wine tasting at Pippin Hill and Michael Shaps Winery, taking a couple yoga classes from my sister, and watching UVA basketball. It was a great two weeks!
Sugar Hollow
Since returning to Texas, I’ve been working out with Mom and have been stealing her car to go to ballet classes at Contemporary Ballet Dallas. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the studio, but it’s well worth the drive! For much of my adult life, I’ve taken 2 dance classes a day, so getting back into the studio has been amazing for my physical and mental health. I’ve also been experimenting with adapting some Gyrotonic exercises to do with normal gym equipment while Mom plays tennis.
After yoga
I have a couple short trips lined up, but am looking forward to my remaining time here. There really is no place like home!
Pippin Hill
Coming soon… Details about my girls’ weekend in New York, and 2 weeks in the Caribbean with my beau!
One of the loveliest sunsets of vacation
My vacation has finally ended. The past 3 months have been a bit of a blur! I traveled a lot, and was blessed to be able to spend time with friends and family. Here are some of the highlights.
Snow! Didn’t see that in Australia!
After about a week back “home” in San Francisco, I went to visit a very close friend in Portland. We were mainly focused on catching up, but also managed to do some tourist activities. She took me downtown a few times and convinced me, quite easily, that I should move to the Pearl District when I’m done with ships. We also drove out to Multnomah Falls. Due to heavy snow, we weren’t able to climb up the bridge, but the view was amazing!
Charlottesville, VA
I went back to SF for a training course, and then packed up my winter gear and went to visit family in Charlottesville, VA. I enjoyed some much needed time with my sisters, took a few yoga classes, and played in the snow! Unfortunately, I don’t know how to drive in snow, so I was housebound for most of my visit. I’m now an expert at snow angels, however!
Snow Angel Pro
My next stop was Romania. I went to visit a gentleman from the ship that lives outside of Bucharest. Early in the trip, we went to Peles, a beautiful castle built in the German Renaissance style.
Peles
We also went on a tour in Bucharest. Our first stop was the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, where we were able to walk around a village of sorts featuring houses, mills, and chapels in traditional styles from across the country.
Museum of the Village
After lunch at a Lebanese restaurant, we went to the House of Parliament. It is the second largest government building, after the Pentagon. We took a tour inside, during which I learned a lot about the country. The decor is beautiful, and I was fascinated to learn that all of the materials used to build and decorate the building, except for one set of doors, are from Romania.
Parliament
Towards the end of my trip, we went to Brasov. We went up to a ski slope to meet some friends, wandered in the city, and took advantage of the nightlife. It was a great week. I was able to explore a new country, learn more about a special friend, and meet some wonderful people.
See ya, Romania
Upon returning to the States, I spent some time with one of my sisters in Northern Virginia. From there, a friend from the ship picked me up to drive to New York. There, I saw a few ship folks, including my roomie, and some recently relocated friends from SF. I did a few touristy activities, like going to the MoMA and walking through Central Park, but mostly made the rounds to see my people.
Washington Square Park
My next stop was Texas. I was able to spend a good few weeks with my parents, see my old friends perform with the ballet, throw my best friend a bridal shower, and do a photoshoot with an old dance buddy. It was nice to be home, but I was anxious to get moving again. I needed to feel like I had a purpose once more.
Bridal shower
For the past few days, I’ve been back in Florida. I just started rehearsals for my next ship, the Adventure. In the past 3 days, we’ve learned a hip hop routine, a lindy, cha cha cha, foxtrot, and quickstep. Only one of the dancers from my last cast is with me this time, so I’ve also been busy getting to know my new group. So far, things are going well! Check back next week for more updates from rehearsals!
waltzing on water 