Grills... and... stench sanitizers...!!!

What a fabulous advert for a grill... classy! Looked up a dictionary definition of GRILL - Here is how it translates in Spanglish:

En la cultura hip hop un grill es un tipo de joyería bling bling que se lleva en los dientes

'Bling Bling' translates regardless of the language you speak. Neat!


Here is a real treat -- in upscale establishments, the bathrooms have a Systema Odocontrol .. aka... stink vacuum. The tube is allocated directly into the toilet bowl centimeters away from the ...dare I say it -- P - Shoot. It is so hilarious to me -- I took a picture for your viewing pleasure. What a concept, surprised it hasn't taken off in the States? Something to ponder? Talk soon!!

Observations in Mexico

So, my first full day across the border was pretty great. A few minor hiccups became apparent this evening when I realized my sunscreen lathering technique was sub-par. I seemed to recall accomplishing that task, but, it is very apparent in the photos I will provide that I in fact mis-remembered. Oops. Lucky for me it looks far worse than it feels.

My Mexican breakfast was delightful, went to a charming (touristy) little spot on the beach called The Office (see photo below). The food was great, the staff was pleasant and you can't beat that view. Everything in Mexico appears to be very fresh, and therefore tasty... the guacamole is nothing I have ever tasted, each place it is different, but so GOOD. Even the America fair is pretty darn good and quite cheap. Leftovers for tomorrow and I only paid $6.



You see more Americans here than you see Mexicans which is a little sad. Pretty apparent when you look around that Cabo San Lucas hardly exhibits the authentic Mexico experience. If you wish to see true Mexican life... walk a few blocks north of Cabo and there it is... you cannot miss it. Some observations and recommendations: One - pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. They will NOT stop. Do not make this mistake. Two- if you are travelling alone as a women, buy a cheap ring and where it on your wedding ring finger... it will deter a few unnecessary comments and make general mingling a bit easier -- you are taken. Three - mini bugs (like our ants, but nearly microscopic) are everywhere... the beds, the floor, the ceiling, the shower... you simply cannot get away from them. They are extremely tiny and therefore cannot bite you in any way, but I suppose this would be a deterant for some. So, consider this a warning. Yes, I did ask around and it appears it is not just an issue for those staying in budget-friendly establishments.

Well I will leave you tonight with a few photos from my journey so far, Mexico is very photogenic ... well you only get one... blogspot formatting is very odd... sorry!!

Sleepy Post

Good morning from Mexico. I have arisen before the sun today... that is not typical here in Cabo as most of you know, partying until the wee hours of the morning is not only condoned, but expected and frankly... encouraged. Sorry to disappoint, but I do things a bit different and was asleep last night at 7:30p hence the early morning-- not a surprise.

Plan on getting a lovely breakfast of shredded beef with eggs and potatos and beans ... can you believe that... BREAKFAST!!! YUM... and on a beautiful beach no less. Maybe a nice beach jog, and a photo expedition, perhaps a nap, then the sunbathing, and a sunset cruise to lovers beach ($30)!! My dinner last night at my very first authentic Mexican restaurant, El Pollo De Oro, was unlike anything I have ever eaten for $6 -- see photo. Unbelievable!!!

Mexico at last!

I have finally done it!! I purchased a plane ticket that departed within 24hrs to a destination outside the U.S. Crazy? Well, some might argue that such rash and spontaneous decisions are bound to end in fiscal disappointment or utter regret, but I feel there is something to throwing caution to the wind and living the life you have imagined. I feel alive today and that will forever be worthy of defending.

So, my destination this year is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Just a few days of sun and sand I believe I will feel as good as any prescription a doctor could prescribe, so I will test that theory and advise very soon! Well, off to boarding!!!

KB

Chef in Training...

I've done it--- after twenty-five long years, I live alone. An accomplishment, that for those who have known me, might have bet against --- my affinity for international travel has been a bit of a roadblock on the way to full acceptance of adult responsibility. However, life does bequeath us with great opportunities and I was given the chance to relocate to a beautiful, two bedroom condo-ish apartment in Downtown Vancouver. For the first time in quite awhile I feel like my life and my personal circumstances have optimistically collided and I am now living in a very beautiful home that is all my own.

So why am I writing? Well, I feel the need to pontificate about a certain roadblock in my quest to become a domestic goddess. What is this mysterious roadblock? Well.... CHICKEN. I cannot cook chicken -- twice failed in the length of three days. Where have I gone wrong? I love to eat, no surprise and a moist and juicy chicken breast is simply divine. So, if anyone reads this, please provide any comments and perhaps tips regarding the best chicken breast you ever ate and perhaps how it was prepared. For anyone also learning to conquer this beast, let me quickly jot down my most recent culinary disappointments:

*First chicken breast had extreme potential, but right off the bat I made a rookie mistake and, lacking necessary patience, I didn't allow the chicken to thaw completely before thrusting it into the awaiting frying pan. Outcome -- a very aesthetically pleasing piece of meat, golden brown on the outside, while inside maintaining a very bright pink freezer burn -- FAILURE.

**Second chicken breast attempt. To concur the tenderness issue -- a marinade!!! So, a lovely tequila, lime and cilantro marinade was created with strict care to following the recipe. I allowed the chicken to swim joyously in this marinade overnight. Once time came to fry the chicken which was completely thawed and even at room temperature, I thrust into the pan again, which was a step in the right direction. Once again I had a beautiful, golden brown chicken breast... SUCcess??? Nope... first bite, salt, all I tasted was salt, compounded by the most intense tequila flavor I have ever tasted. Again FAILURE.

Taking a couple days off to regain some personal confidence and than I will be able to show my face in the kitchen again. Until then....

A Most Grateful Daughter!

I would like to say that I have always been enthusiastic to get down and dirty and work hard, however, if I am being truthful I would have to admit that growing up, hard work was the farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to spend every waking moment spinning my dreams and figuring out how I could make every one of them come true regardless of practicality. I simply wanted to have fun. Each and every day I knew my father was getting up early and making his way to work to support our family’s lifestyle. As a result, I only tended to see my father in the evening, as awakening from my slumber at a grave 5:00 am was simply unheard of and something I swore I would never have to do. I would be so special and such a stellar individual that mundane obligations like awakening for work were beyond the scope of any employers delegations; I WAS WRONG. My miscalculations were pretty frequent growing up and my father so kindly used patience and living by example to begin to teach me the most valuable lessons. Every day, when our paths collide, I am met with an optimism so unique and pervasive it can mend any emotional affliction that might have presented in me. It is this contented radiance that had forever intrigued my little mind as a youngster, simply wondering,”What makes him so happy.” Not a question easily answered but certainly something I intended to emulate. Over past few years, I have begun to understand that his sense of contention is coming from his attitude toward hard work.

My father has worked for a telecommunications company for the last 36 years. For the majority of those years he has worked as a Network Technician. Working everyday, rain or shine, outside amongst the elements; a job criteria a lot of people try very diligently to avoid. Growing up, he never graduated high school, getting his GED at a later date, which was the end of his formal education. Funniest thing though, he hasn’t appeared to have missed a beat as his awareness and ability to learn is uncanny. He lives everyday with the same passion and sincere appreciation for each and every moment, which I find so rare it is worth writing about. My father does not live this existence for any external appreciation or gratification, he just IS this way. I see how his appreciation for a day in a manhole or climbing telephone poles permeates his entire day and exponentially his entire life, and now, graciously, into mine. This philosophy of living life with an uncanny, optimistic outlook can span a lifetime of conflicts and concerns and a lesson I will be eternally grateful for.

Essentially I want to thank my father for teaching me the value of hard work and the most important life lesson I have ever learned which is that life and the pursuit of happiness, if I may, is all in the attitude. Most importantly this lesson was taught graciously by example. MRW seemed like a fitting place to begin to show appreciation for a lifetime of hard work and manual labor and of course doing what I can to live out the same doctrine as I have come to believe in its value just as much as my father does. Today is my father’s first day of retirement, and I will not find anyone more deserving of some time off than my father. I look forward to many crazy and slightly impractical projects together in hopes of learning a little bit more each and every day.

Dad, you are simply the greatest model of humanity for myself and I thank you and thank God everyday for having such an outstanding mold to model myself after. Mike Rowe, it must be said... you rank pretty high up there as well.

A most grateful daughter,
Krista

Things I love

Just thought I would post a few things that I love and I am truly grateful for (no particular order):

* Fabulous nights with friends and family (days and nights really)
* Haagen Das Peppermint Bark (Seasonal) Ice Cream - truly exceptional, beware of the calories
* The sound slush makes when you jump into it -- corny, I know
* The sound my cycling shoes make when they click into the pedal -- Yes, I am a freak
* Crunchy leaves -- I am definitely an audible individual
* Inspiration -- people, places, food
* Wine - cheap to expensive and nearly every varietal of grape has impressed me at one time or another
* Traveling the world -- takes my breath away every time
* Winter - I always feel a certain way that transcends my ability to articulate
* Honesty -- No real need to explain
* Good food -- I can't be the only one, right?
* Inspiration -- It comes from everywhere and looks a little different every time
* Blankets - they are perfect and oh so very functional
* Beauty -- it is everywhere... and I love it
* Books -- I can't get enough... I want them all
* Powells -- definitely worth a mention

... There are plenty more things, but for tonight, that is my list.