A quick trip to FLORIDA!! :)

 A quick update from this week; the highlight being a quick trip to FLORIDA (FLL and PB) to catch some rays, enjoy the beach, and bask in the sun!! oh, and I got to spend some time with a dear friend of mine, TOM GERBER! Tom just moved down there as an engineering intern (until August) and was more than happy to welcome me (of all people) to the area!!  As much of conversation revealed, we are both equally sad to be away from our families and can largely appreciate the awesomeness of close family and friends!!

We were able to spend some time down in MIAMI; meeting up with a medical mission group headed down to HAITI (Eric Virkler + others...) and Evan Sinn - another resident engineer hanging in South Florida for a bit; good company, great food, prime location, awesome weather = PHENOMENAL!!

We nailed it, in terms of weather - beautiful days everyday, warm, sunny, gentle breezes...TOM did inform me that it rained pretty hard one morning around 1030 AM, however I must have missed it, because, again, I reiterate, I had beautiful weather to whole time...LOL; wink, wink, yawwwwnnnn, stretchhhhh!!

The best quote from the whole trip (courtesy of TOM): 

"the only people that move to Florida are old people....and their parents"....hahahaha :)

WING VIEW - coming home - in air delay of 40 minsssssss...lets go!!!

one of the "minis" on the inter-coastal !!  no big deal...

JET SKI !! amazing....

the classic palm tree shot...baking under the SUN!!

VIEW from da' suite... !!! :)

some of my favorites (and JOANNA), visiting me in BALTIMORE !!! luv u guys... :)

Until the next time.... :)

Mom and Dad; Just in case you didn't know...!

"My parent's rarely told me how to live; they lived, and let me watch them do it"

There are millions of parents in this world.  Some are really great.
Mine are.

There are parents who let you make mistakes; they know your life will be better that way.
Mine do.

There are parents who let you ask questions, even if they don't know the answers.
Mine do.

There are parents who love each other and give you a near impossible standard for your love.
Mine do.


There are parents who point and smile when they introduce you to someone.
Mine do.

There are parents who hug you after you make a mistake, and say "I'm just happy you are OK".
Mine do.

There are parents who call you after a hard day at work just to make sure you are safe.
Mine do.

There are parents who will text you to remind you that they love you!
Mine do.

Mom and Dad!!! 

I think I can freely speak on behalf of all your chillin's (and grandchillin's) when I say WE LOVE YOU more than you may ever know!

Your kids are here for your continued support!! We are here for you, whenever you need it.

God Bless you now and forever!

Until the next time... :)

7 months and counting...!

Greetings from the Innermost of all Harbors... the first of May marks the 7 month since up and moved to Baltimore; and what an incredible 7 months it has been - a total whirlwind of activity, an emotional roller coaster, and pure unending flood of excitement.  It is worth a big shout out to my family, friends (both local and distant), co-workers, students, and many, many others who have helped me through the last several months.

Life continues on as usual; I have been doing a fair amount of traveling through the greater Mid-Atlantic (and else-where); spending time down in National Harbor, cruising the Potomac River and visiting hidden American gems - like Old Towne Alexandria, VA - where I was this past weekend.  What an incredibly charming, quaint and lively section of historic America; bustling with a unique blend of western culture, we canvassed the gorgeous river-walk, listened to some incredible roadside musicians, stopped at a few shops and ate some amazing food!  Since moving into this area, I have made a distinct effort to enjoy some of the "local" attractions; it has certainly added a positive increase to my overall experience down here!!

BRABO - in the 1600 block stretch of King Street, Old Towne Alexandria -
a tasting room that has made it to the "must visit again" list...
the short menu is certainly no reflection of the quality or charm this place has to offer!!

downtown Old Towne!! lol;
parts of this town look to be taken directly from a history textbook..totally AWESOME! 

Jamey Turner - doing what he does best !!

Mr. Turner is an international musical sensation; most commonly known for his mastery of the  "glass harp" - a series of volume-variant, water filled wine glasses which he rubs his moist fingers over the top creating a unique and wild blend of musical notes!!

The music this man plays ranges from simple to complex; Beethoven to Mozart; classical to ragtime; new and old...its really something worth seeing!!

A little video of da "harpist's"... :)

SPRING HAS FINALLY ARRIVED to the City of Industry!
clear blue skies, green leafy trees, warm sunshine - welcoming and renewing!! :)

On one of my recent trips back from CT, I stopped in NJ to get gas...;
I never thought I would include "filling up with gas in NJ" as a life experience, but clearly, as this picture shows, it has made the list! I have no clue what was going on, but with 8 available pumps, I waited (and people watched) for over an hour to fill up with 87 regular!! thank goodness, I had just satisfied my physiologic fuel with two slices of Domino's pizza and Starbucks...if not,...ummm..I should probably leave this part out..!

A recent trip back home!! the perfect way to spend the perfect spring day!!
four wheeling with the cutest country princess everrrrr :) LUV U MADDY...!!

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.... :)