BLOGSPOT...where have u been??

Yo heyyyyy!! I feel that every time I sit down to write a blog post, I need to apologize for the lack of posting...but then I realized that hey, its just a blog...lol; relax, post when you can, its no big deal, nobody probably reads this anyway...lol; After coddling myself with these reassurances, I then proceed directly to writing...

I was able to spend this past weekend (Saturday only...lol) with some friends down near Alexandria, WV; activities included wandering around National Harbor, which is totally beautiful.  There will definitely be more trips down that way soon... It was great to see some local friends but also some of my hometown (CT) peeps.  There was a lot of thoughtful conversation, hearty laughter, awesome food and good company; life can't get much better than that... My friends from CT were staying at the Gaylord National (Resort and Convention Center); they were here for a national cheerleading competition...allow me to say that the facility is quite a place - amazing architecture and such, however I have never been surrounded by sooo many glitterful, screaming, dramatic adolescents (and parents).  This was the national standoff between like a million teams; and being the creampuff that I can be - was coerced by my friend to attend the 2 minute performance of her daughter's team...and it was like, completely, like, totally, like caaaraaazzzyyy...like oh my goodness, did u like c that, like, tumble, like that was like totally ammazzzingg... I feel that my hearing has been permanently reduced by 70% and I can, with a measure of sincere satisfaction, check this (nonexistent) item off of my life's bucket list.

In all reality, I learned more about cheerleading than I had ever imagined was possible to know.  Its actually is a pretty dangerous sport and more than one aspiring cheerperson was horizontally carted off the disco layered stage.  The amount of practice and dedication that these young people go through is, as reported, fairly rigorous. And kudos, to them, because after the competition was over, I jumped the stage and made it halfway through one tumble before twisting my ankle and landing squarely on my face, much to the roaring excitement of the crowd....After I left, they texted me the results...THEIR TEAM TOOK #1 for the NATION!!! GOOO USA INFAMOUS WILDCATS!

Atrium of the Gaylord...at night

Atrium of the Gaylord...daytime

National Harbor - "The Awakening" sculpture
Man Buried in the Sand

Earlier this month, I was able to spend sometime down on Culebra, a remote island off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico...It was awesome.  It was great to be away from the hustle and bustle of daily living and just chill...island style! We managed to squeak in a few scuba trips - seeing everything from brilliantly colorful coral, fish and sharks to turtles, lobsters and eel.  The rest of the time was spent relaxing on the beaches, napping on the hammock, riding the waves, eating out and simply enjoying the natural beauty that is Culebra.

Departing Culebra...do we have toooo???!!!

Our ride back to the mainland...San Juan, PR

Sunrise from the house, CULEBRA - AMAZING!!!

Paper writing...while on vacay...LAME!!

ZONI BEACH, CULEBRA

BEDROOM - Wall O' Books - Culebra style "PRIVACY"

Flamenco Beach - Old Army Tank...kinda' cool

Flamenco Beach - #stayingforever

Our scuba guide...WALTER - smoking...uh, right next to the air tanks...#kaboom

SCUBA TIME...amazing sea / marine life
This island is off the coast of Tamarindo Beach!!

da' boys...headed out for our first dive

LIME GREEN JEEP!!! (and Jennnnnn...)

Several weeks ago, Hopkins Lifeline (critical care transport team) sponsored a "Hell's Kitchen" event at a nearby catering facility.  The 24ish participants were split up in to four teams who were then charged with a specific task.  I was selected for the table decorations, bread baking and desert table team!! TEAM SUCCESSFUL went right to work (under the dedicated and watchful eye of King Faisal..our fearless manager -OK..he's really not a king, but we thought that plain old Faisal was just so boring, soooo) and we ended up taking 1st place...well, actually everybody kind of won first place...but regardless; the point is that... the event was actually a tremendous amount of fun; and really helped to "break the ice" for both new and old employees!

TEAM FABULOUS!!; at your service...

the MENU...grey poupon with that??

the tables, set to a four season's theme;
Vivaldi would have been so proud..??!

A little appetizer...if you don't mind; it was the endive that made it...lol
who on earth even eats endive; #vegetablegagathon

Warren and Bonnie Zahner were recently down in Baltimore / DC and stopped by for a visit.  Bonnie was able to capture the Inner Harbor cityscape by camera!!

Until the next time...!