the sights along the way

This week I have been working out in the country south of the city. It's a nice school with caring, talented staff and wonderful students. I worked mainly with kindergarten students this past week, and next week will be there to work with a special needs student as well.

I really enjoy my work. The students are fun and happy, and I often come home feeling very good about the day ... reflecting on moments of smiles and encouragement, learning and growth.

The trip to and from the school takes me away from the city and to a small town. It's a refreshing change of pace, and every time I do the trip it seems I notice something I hadn't before ... a small coffee shop in town, an old church, a rustic farmhouse ... little picturesque details than bring a smile to my face.

This reminds me once again that the journey is often just as much important as the destination. We owe it to ourselves to take the time and make the effort to seize the opportunity and enjoy anything and everything possible along the way. It's those joyful pleasures that can bring us happiness and an appreciation for the many good things in our lives. We owe it to ourselves to make a conscious effort to look for them.

I've got it pretty good right now, and I know it. I am blessed with a wonderful partner, enjoyable work and a good life, filled with many things to be thankful for.

nothing lasts forever

In our lives we can find many examples of devices that assist us, entertain us and give our modern world access to information in a variety of forms. These appliances can be wonderful tools of productivity, and can perform a variety of tasks much better than ever before.

I recognized the potentials of information technology long ago, and remember seeing the typewriter's demise. I have come to know that computers are excellent for managing information, but one never really knows when a computer may stop functioning.

This week my poor old IBM T30 Thinkpad Laptop died. It was not a devastating loss .... I know enough to store important data in other places, and I have more than one computer.

This was actually an opportunity.

I have been wanting to leave the world of Microsoft dominated machines behind, and explore the world of Apple for some time now, so I got a MacBook.

I have to say ... so far, I have no complaints. Right out of the box, it's easy to use, intuitive, slick, clean, speedy, quiet ...

I will be installing windows on it too, for the two or three programs that I will still need, but my goal is to phase out all things Windows based in time.

Nothing lasts forever, and I know enough not to let my possessions own me.

It's only stuff, and it should enhance and enrich our lives,

not be a source of frustration and annoyances.

I look forward to my new Apple adventure ...

it's been a good week for me

As a substitute Educational Assistant, work can be hit and miss ... but this last week not only have I been lucky enough to work every day, but I have been working at a couple of my favorite schools. These schools have caring, talented staff, and wonderful children.

I saw a poster in one of the staff rooms with the following:

Guidance

For our children,
the road to happiness and success
is usually paved by
our example

It would be wonderful to land a good job at one of these schools, but for now I am enjoying the variety and the experience.

I am open to opportunities and will rise to the challenges presented to me. I will surpass expectations and strive to be an asset to anyone who calls upon me.

resolutions

It's the start of a new year, and many people tend to make New Years Resolutions.

I tend not to do so for myself, and instead make resolutions when I feel they are needed throughout the year.

I have ongoing goals that I strive to achieve, and once in a while, when warranted, I sometimes also set sights on short term objectives for myself.


Some of my goals include:

-=|=- to honour my body with healthy choices

-=|=- to be a good role model for the students I work with

-=|=- to be centred and focused

-=|=- to endure when necessary, and thrive when possible

-=|=- to be supportive, reliable and encourage positive efforts in others

-=|=- to try to maintain balance in my life

-=|=- to remain passionate

-=|=- to appreciate, acknowledge and enjoy

-=|=- to be open mined

-=|=- to maintain a healthy perspective

-=|=- to be a better communicator

-=|=- to be strong, active and supportive of other's efforts

-=|=- to stay positive and constructive

-=|=- to laugh and be happy

-=|=- to recycle, use less energy and reduce my carbon footprint

-=|=- to improve, grow and learn

-=|=- to contribute and be helpful when needed

-=|=- to allow inspirations to help me do great things

-=|=- to be loving and considerate

-=|=- to be accepting, patient and understanding

-=|=- to stay healthy and vibrant


I strive to be at my best,
so I can then be helpful,
caring and supportive to others.


Happy New Year!

May it be healthy and happy, prosperous and filled with love.

Good luck with any goals you may have set for yourself.

Feliz Navidad

• Capacity: 4,370 passengers
• Length: 1,111.9 ft (338.91 m)
• Decks: 18 total decks
• Crew: 1,360

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of The Seas
... the world's second largest passenger ship ...
Janice and I spent a week aboard this grand vessel and enjoyed a Christmas Caribbean cruise.

This is the story of our Christmas vacation.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Originally we had planned to fly down to Miami a day ahead of departure. We had tickets for a flight that had a stop over in Newark, then we'd fly on to Miami on Saturday, December 19th.

The ship was departing Sunday, the 20th, and passenger boarding was between 2pm and 4pm. Arriving a day early would give us a little wiggle room, in case there were travel complications along the way. When you have to make it to a cruise ship, you'd better get there before it leaves ... they don't hold it if you're late.

Mother nature decided to liven things up for us ... a winter snow storm shut down Newark, and our flight was cancelled. Thank goodness Janice, being the experienced traveller she was, had built in that wiggle room. Her resourceful nature would also help us get to where we needed to go ...

Janice arranged for us to take an alternate flight from Montreal, with a stop over in Orlando. The flight was to leave early the NEXT day, and if there were no more wrinkles, we'd make it to the ship before it was to depart.

So... plan B. We hopped a Via train to Montreal on Saturday at lunch time ... we'd enjoy a few hours in Montreal, and make it an early night to catch the flight leaving 8am Sunday morning.

The alarm went off at 5am Sunday morning. We were scheduled to arrive in Miami at 3:24pm ... giving us half an hour to get our luggage and hop a cab to the port before 4pm ... it would be close ...

The winter storm had thrown us a curve ball, but we were going to keep our eyes on the prize and do everything we could to make it to the port of Miami by 4pm ... we were going to be on that cruise and have a wonderful Christmas in the Caribbean. Little did we know that challenges in Orlando would cause us a few headaches.

When travelling, each stop over increases the opportunity for problems. Flights with stop overs are cheaper, but the possibility of your luggage getting misplaced or the flight being over - sold or some other event impeding your progress increase.

As we sat in the terminal in Orlando, looking at the time, seeing that we were so close to our destination we came across another snag. First, too much luggage for the small plane they had for us ... then there were two planes on the tarmac ... then they asked if a couple of passengers would volunteer to travel on a later flight ... then the plane was over - fuelled ... so we were delayed.

We finally were in the air and our our way to Miami. Janice and I were not giving up yet ... we were going to do everything possible to be on that ship.

We landed in Miami and knew there was a Royal Caribbean kiosk at the airport, so we figured we'd try and find them ASAP, and see if we still had a shot to board the ship. Picture Janice and I running through the airport ... hoping to somehow, by some miracle, still make it to the ship before it was to sail. After running for what seemed like ten or fifteen minutes in search of assistance, we came across some Royal Caribbean staff and explained our plight. The young girl contacted a supervisor, who then told us we had 6 minutes to get our luggage ... if we hopped a cab and zipped to the port before 5:20, when the port would close, we'd be be allowed to board.

I ran to the carousel and saw that one of my two bags, and one of Janice's two bags were there. I snatched the bags and rejoined Janice ... but what of our two other bags? Where was half of our luggage? We saw that there was an office near the carousel that had an area roped off with a number of bags near it. Janice took the initiate, disregarded the rope, and started looking for our two missing bags. In the office, the clerk who had been attending to 3 or 4 other disgruntle passengers dropped what she was doing and came out to assist Janice.

We needed to get to the port ASAP, and Janice told the clerk of our problem. The clerk took down basic tracking information about our two pieces of lost luggage, told us to open a claim from the ship, and we took off to find a cab.

We were lucky enough to snag a cab and blast to the port. The nice thing was that there were no lines we had to contend with ... the Royal Caribbean staff here had been contacted by the staff at the airport, and were expecting us. They took our two bags, and we proceeded to register with the departure staff. Upon being issued our sea passes (I D cards that let you on and off the ship and pay for everything on board), we rushed to the gangway to board.

The boarding staff were unplugging their equipment as we approached ... we were directed to the alternate side to board. After they registered our sea passes and we walked on to the ship, a wave of relief blanketed us as we realized that we'd made it. The time was 5:15pm ... we had made it aboard 5 minutes before the port was to close ... JUST MADE IT.



On Our Way

We started the day with Lattes from the promenade and a lovely breakfast at The Windjammer Cafe (one of about a dozen places to eat on board). I enjoyed a big plate of fresh fruit.

We learned a valuable lesson this trip - split up items in your luggage. Put some of your undergarments in each bag, some of your footwear in each bag, etc.

When we arrived yesterday aboard the ship, we stopped by the Guest Services desk, where we met Kevin. He was the officer that took care of passengers who had lost luggage. He was extremely helpful, and took on the responsibility of finding our lost bags, so that we might enjoy our voyage. He gave us some basic missing items and assisted us in replacing other much needed items. He was very helpful, and this was definitely an asset in allowing us to enjoy the cruise.

Since one of the missing items for me included my suit, I had a tuxedo fitting scheduled. Kevin had arrange a complimentary tux rental ... there were two formal nights on the cruise, and I was going to be dressed properly for them. Janice was also given a choice of dresses available.

There was lost luggage meeting, where a room full of people who were in the same boat as us (ha ha), were meeting with Kevin for assistance, reassurance and information.

This first full day on board was a day at sea, as the ship travelled from Miami toward our first port of call - Haiti. We decided to ease into the cruise at an easy pace today, getting our sea legs, and taking a deep breath after the events of yesterday.

Later in the day we went to dinner with Bob & Bobbi from Miami; Abagail & Colin from S. Africa. When we ate in the dining room, we had a regular table along with 2 other couples ...
We were lucky to be seated with 2 couples who were fun, nice and great dinner companions.
I had steak.

After dinner we went to the Platinum Theatre - five stories from orchestra pit to domed ceiling - This state of the art facility features contemporary musical stage productions. We enjoyed a show called "Gallery of Dreams"... it was slick and sparkly, tight and shiny.

We sampled a bit of Caribbean Music at one of the several bars before retiring to our stateroom that evening.

Whoa Nelly

It's Tuesday, December 22nd. This morning we are scheduled to enjoy a walking tour of Labadee Haiti, our first port of call.

The rain this morning ended up having our walking tour cancelled ... but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Shortly after finding out we wouldn't be doing the tour, we decided to explore the island a bit. The weather started to clear up, and we found Nellies Beach ... a wonderful little protected cove where Janice enjoyed a bit of frolicking in the water while I snapped a few pictures.

Later that day I enjoyed some volleyball on the beach, as Janice enjoyed the Caribbean sand and sunshine. We were treated to lunch on the beach, where Janice had ribs. When we returned to the ship we found champagne in our stateroom courtesy of Kevin, and a message on our answering machine - our luggage has been found!

I enjoyed another steak dinner, then Janice and I went to the Platinum Theatre for another stellar musical production - "In The Air" ... a Cirque Du Soleil type show with some very good choreography ... several cool costumes and acrobatics. Janice and I enjoyed some 70s Dancing in the Promenade as the day ended ... Dancin' in the Street.

Ya mon.

It's Wednesday, December 23rd ... and our port of call today is Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
After some wonderful fresh fruit for breakfast, we headed for shore, and an excursion called "The Best of Ocho Rios".

We boarded an air conditioned bus and started the tour with a look at FernGully ... a Jamaican rain forest. The tour continued with a stop over at Ruins by the falls ... our tour guide was very entertaining, with songs and dancing, and information about the area and it's people.

The highlight of the tour was Dunns River Falls. We climbed the falls in the Jamaican sun ... it was awesome. I had a wonderful salad for lunch, and the rest of our luggage arrived. A terrific day all in all.

life is a beach

If this is George Town, Grand Cayman, it must be Thursday, December 24th. No excursions planned for this port ... we are just gonna find a stretch of sand and enjoy the water and the sunshine. At this port there is no dock big enough for a ship of this size, so tenders ferried passengers to and from the ship.

We headed in to town, boarded an air conditioned bus to 7 mile beach, and enjoyed awesome sun, sand & 28 degree sunshine. Later that day we returned to the ship and attended a formal Christmas eve dinner in the dining room. In the evening there was carolling on the promenade and Charo entertained at The Platinum Theatre. (We opted to relax in our stateroom watching Christmas Cartoons on TV, as we knew that the next day had a full slate with an early start.)

vamanos vamanos

After stopping by the ice rink to see Santa, passengers with our excursion were first off the ship, then whisked onto a ferry to take us from our port at Cozumel Mexico, then it was on to a bus and off to visit Tulum ruins (AD 564, I believe.) Our tour guide was with us for the whole day ... he was awesome - knowledgeable and fun. Then it was back on the bus and off to the beach - where we had lunch and enjoyed more sun and sand. We returned to the bus, took the ferry back and went back to the ship. It was a long day, but Tulum was great to see.

our last full day on board

It's boxing day, and a sea day, where the ship is headed back to the port of Miami. By morning we will be docked and we will disembark from the cruise ship. Janice wanted to wind down and relax today & read by the pool. I was off to play volleyball at the sports court. Our team came n second ... that's OK, sliver medals are better than no medals ...

Jan Jan & I hooked up for lunch, then I enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of The Platinum Theatre. Afterwards, we stopped by the photo gallery for a portrait we had taken earlier in the week. We rounded off the day with mini - golf, a walk around the ship, shuffleboard and a final dinner in the dining room with our four new friends. After dinner we went up to the Olive or Twist lounge for a drink. This ship was amazing ... truly a floating city. An enormous hotel on the seas, with something for everyone.

South Beach

Sunday, December 27th ... we said good bye to the ship and headed for our hotel at Biscayne bay in Miami. We were scheduled to fly home early tomorrow, and we had one last day to enjoy the warm sunshine, shorts and sandals. After checking in to the hotel and a lovely lunch by the water, we hopped a bus to South Beach.

We got off the bus and took a walk down Lincoln Rd., enjoying the warmth and architecture, and the buzz of all the people here. There were open markets all down the boulevard and many sidewalk cafes. We stopped at one and had pizza for dinner. Afterwards we strolled down to the beach and enjoyed some southern sand one last time before heading home.

four a. m.

The next morning we flew home. It was an early flight ... but the day`s travel went smoothly, and by late afternoon we would find ourselves back home in the great white north. It was snowing in Ottawa ... a winter wonderland. I couldnt help but smile, knowing I soon will be shovelling snow and wearing my winter clothes again.

It had been a wonderful trip - full of pampering ... sun, sand and water ... no traffic jams, no household chores and wonderful memories. I don`t mind living in Canada ... the Canadian winters really help me appreciate trips to warmer climates.

I look forward to the next adventure ... when ever, or where ever it might be.
; )