The parade of Wagner's, Gire's, Nolans and Freitas' sailed home yesterday from our Caribbean cruise!!! WOW, was it an amazing time. I couldn't have even expected it to be that much fun! Besides the four beautiful stops at Cozumel-Mexico, Isla Roatan-Honduras, Belize City-Belize, and Costa Maya-Mexico...we did run into a few problems, mostly with health scares with some people in our party.
About two weeks before the trip began, Daniel's Aunt Teresa broke her foot, causing her to need a wheelchair. On top of that, Daniel's mom Julie had her lovely super nice friend Charlene join us on the cruise as well, unfortunately, 2 days before we sailed away, she slipped and broke her foot too! Making it two wheelchair girls. Because Teresa was in a wheelchair, Daniel's aunt Amy was invited along to take care of her. On the last day at sea on the cruise, Amy was rushed to the Emergency nurse on the ship due to throwing up and pain. Her condition was so bad that they immediately sent a HELICOPTER to come pick her up off the ship and fly her to the closest Miami hospital, where she is being treated for gallstones. Wshhooo. What a trip huh? Please keep Amy in your prayers. She will need surgery and won't be out of the hospital for about 4-5 more days.
Even though we had a few setbacks, this was one of the best vacations I have ever been on! Sandy hot beaches, Pina Coladas in hand, Bright blue oceans and all the fun and activities you could imagine on the boat. Daniel's sister Tina got engaged to her boyfriend of 5 years, Mike, who we all love! Congratulations to them! Tina also asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next year! I almost cried. It felt like a whole week of celebrations, including Daniel's birthday on June 5th! He turned 23. Poor Daniel got a little jipped because his Birthday was on the day we came home. We celebrated the last night on the cruise with a cake and singing for him! Happy Birthday Daniel my lovey!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY ENGAGED MIKE & TINA!
There was dancing on bars, karaoke singing, Marti gras beads to catch, water slides to go down, and even a chocolate buffet! This trip was one of a lifetime. I love traveling, it is my ultimate favorite thing, and now I get to check two more countries off of my list to visit. (since I have already been to Mexico a number of times)
On another note...I have some kind of disappointing news about Hawaii. As I was on the cruise, Liz was searching for apartments for us the whole time. Unfortunately I couldn't be in touch with her since I was in the middle of the ocean with no cell service. ($6.50 per MINUTE!) When I finally got back to Florida we were able to talk and she let me know that the apartment search was not going very well. We had agreed on some criteria that we both wanted/needed in an apartment. One was a six month lease. This was very difficult to find in Hawaii. She did find one place in Waikiki for $1,700 with a one year lease and unfurnished. I can not commit to a one year lease since I don't have a job there yet and risk not finding one right away. Six month was perfect for me, knowing that I need to test it out and see how things go...I guess that is what being young is all about, new experiences and testing out different things. This leaves Liz and I in a tough position since she starts work on Wednesday and has limited time to continue looking for places that better fit our criteria. She has decided to look for a one bedroom apartment alone, and I think this is for the best. Since I do not want to hold her back from what she needs before she starts her job. I am defiantly going to go there and visit her...At this point I don't think it is the smartest choice for me to jump into something I was not fully prepared for. I really wish we could have looked longer for a place that worked for both of us...but I have no hard feelings. I am excited for my best friend to go live her dream in Hawaii.
I can't force something if it's not meant to be. Now that I am back from the cruise and ready to start a new life and job here, I feel very free to go experience new things here. Even if I am not moving to Hawaii, I am glad this situation has pushed me to try new things and reminded me always be open minded. I can not wait to do things like go visit my mom for a week in Tahoe, and my friend Holly that lives there, go run the Los Gatos creek trail with Tina during the day, and help her plan her wedding next year, look for jobs that I have never done before, and what I am most excited about- traveling to England with my Aunt Nessy in September!
There is so much to look forward to in this life. The way I see it, if you are embracing every day with happiness, enjoying every unique day to it's fullest, appreciating your surroundings and loving the people around you unconditionally, there is nothing to ever regret in this life...I can move forward knowing that I am not missing out on anything.
Live and learn.
Elise Diane
Elise Diane
