Playa Del Carmen Trip Nov 2010: Day 1 Part 1

As some readers may know, Club Yebo is a very popular small hotel on 1st Avenue.  Many of us are reluctant to talk about this hidden gem to the small size and the awesome rates.  But they recently added more rooms and it’s now called Kinka’a. As of this posting, guests of Kinka’a are still welcomed to use the Playa Palms beach free of charge.


My room is VERY CUTE and VERY LITTLE, but it’s all I need.  The bed is comfy and the palapa roof is keeping the water out.  Here are few pictures.

My room is on the left.  These stairs go up to the pool area of Club Yebo/Kinka'a

View of my room from the top of the stairs.

Pool Area

Bed with mosquito netting.

Desk area and door into the bathroom

bathroom

I am checked into my room and log onto the internet and start sending out messages to my who I am supposed to meet up with me.  Mellie and Red responded they are hanging out the hotel and we agree to meet up at Dirty Martini a bit.


As I run up the short way to Dirty Martini, I see a blonde woman wearing something interesting and she is waving at me.  I get a little closer and I realize its Penny and she is wearing a garbage bag!  Even a garbage bag makes her looks fabulous.  She tells me that she and Glenn are riding around town on the scooter and they are keeping dry in the garbage bags! Cute!!

Penny in her Fab Bag!

Warm hugs to Mellie and Red (Jenny) and we all settle in for some drinks. Mellie is drinking a Ginger Martini (what else from a Red) and I sample it! Yummy!! I realize I have no money and Penny buys me my Ginger Martini (uh..thanks Penny..I just realized at this moment I never paid you back!! :o:o:o).  Penny and Glenn are off on the scooter and Red, Mellie, and I have another drink and decide to move on to Babe’s.

Penny and Red (Jenny) at the Dirty Martini

Penny and Glenn taking off on the scooter

Ah, but wait, I ask if they’ve had a Blended Mojito from La Tortuga and the answer was ‘no’.  A quick change of route and a break in the downpour and we in the reception area of La Tortuga and being greeted by Anna Tortuga in the flesh! Love this woman!

Off to the bar we go and order 3 blended mojitos. Arguable the best drink in Playa!!  We take some pictures and hang out in the bar.  Even if you don’ t stay here, you must go to the bar here and relax with a drink.  It’s really one of the most beautiful places in Playa.  The rain comes down hard while we are here.  But it doesn’t matter.  We are having yummy drinks, laughing, and just catching up. I haven’t seen Mellie and Red in two years, and I’m just so happy to see them again!

Blended Mojito!

Me, Mellie,and Red

Mellie and Red

Pictures of La Tortuga from the bar area:

 We decide to move onto Babe’s for some dinner and we luck out as the rain has seemed to let up.  Off we go around the corner and grab a table on the street. Crab rolls for me and of course I forgot what Mellie and Red ordered (Chicken Pad Thai?  Vietnamese  Shrimp Salad?)

Babes!!

Crab Rolls

Jenny doesn't like to use a fork or chopsticks!  :p

Katie Makkai - Pretty

A Time to Reflect & Be Thankful

Thanksgiving Time is almost here, which means Playa time for me again! This will be my fourth Thanksgiving in Playa and my 15^th trip overall!  I’m really looking forward to getting away and spending some times with friends.  I feel I’ve earned this trip. I really feel I have so much to be thankful for in my life.

It’s been almost a year since things starting unraveling in my life.  Someone I trusted and cared for decided to show his true colors and made me realize that what I thought was a deep friendship was only a cover for something more sinister.  To this day, this man has not owned up to things he has done and only proves what a con artist he really is.  Bygones, right?  We all learn our lessons in life and I’ve been taught a major one about people. I guess the only solace that I get it knowing that this person knows he is forever indebted to me for the job he has now and the things he gains in the future.  I am thankful that through it all, I know I am still the same person.  The one that cares deeply for others and will do whatever I can to help those in desperate need. 

This year also marked the end of part-time job for me and the start of a two new ones where I flourished and made some real friendships.  I am forever thankful for the friends I’ve made at both ZIN and at the Hotel where I work part-time.  These friendships have saved me in sense that I felt alone and in despair for awhile and some really great women came into my life when I needed to learn how to smile and laugh again.  I am so thankful, I think, more than anything for my girlfriends. 

I am also thankful for the lasting friendships I have made in real life with distant friends.  We are able to keep in touch, support, and love one other through social medias such as email, online forums and through Facebook.  I have received so much love and support from friends when I had the darkest of days this year.  

I cannot say that things are 100% wonderful in my life right now, but things are improving.  I still hope to sell my house and start a new direction in life.  But since my house has been on the market for nearly 2 ½ years, I have to firmly believe that everything happens (or doesn’t happen for a reason).  I just wish I knew what the reason was and I’d be given some sort of sign.  Or maybe I just need to be more aware of the signs that are there?  I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head and I was able to realize the American Dream of owning my home at the age of 32.  

I am thankful for Family.  A person could not ask for anything more than what I have in my own Family.  I don’t have a husband or children of my own, but I have a wonderful caring and supportive Family that loves me no matter what.  I’m lucky to have them all.  We are each other’s foundations as we go through life.

In addition to my Family and Friends, I thought of a few more things I am truly thankful for:

Life:  How lucky I am to be here on this Earth. Living and breathing!

Facebook: How great is it to connect with friends and distant friends on a daily basis!

Cats:  I am drawn to all cats, but my boy, Reese, is the light of my life.  Call me Crazy Cat Lady, I don’t care! J

Dancing:  It’s pure joy to be in a room full of smiing faces getting their grooves on, or just to be alone in the kitchen and Lady Gaga is singing ‘Just Dance!’

Lapham Peak:  My Sunday mornings with Megan hiking and running have been the best therapy!

6am Runs:  Before the sun comes up, around the lake, and through the cemetery.  Thank you Julianne!

Emotions: Sometimes it’s scary to think so deeply, but it’s also wonderful to really laugh to really cry and to really feel. 

Apologies:  Wonderful to hear them, even better to say them and mean it.

Forgiveness:  It’s even better when you are in the wrong.

Comfort: Comfort Food, Comfortable Yoga Pants and t-shirts, Comfy Chair and Blankie!

Kindness: the smallest act or word can change someone’s day. Be Kind to everyone, for everyone has their struggles.

Pedicures:  Pretty toes and feet! What more can I say!

Coffee Creamer: Has the ability to have your nemesis lose her mind and that was fun to watch. (yeah yeah..I know what I said about kindness…but this is different).

Smiles: Buddy Elf says ‘smiling is my favorite’ and he is so right on!

Glitter:  Yes, glitter makes me happy.  Glitter in hands, glitter in my hair, glitter on the floor.  Glitter me!

Positivity: Look for the good in everything and everyone and you’ll find it! 

Hugs:  An embrace makes you feel secure and loved.

You:  You are wonderful. Thank you for reading.

Now tell me what you are thankful for!

Running for Those Who Cannot.

Last week, I opened my email to find an invite to do the 2010 Jingle Bell Run at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Without hesitation, I signed myself up and decided to put a team together.  I had never heard of the Jingle Bell Run until last year when my Boot Camp coach, Amanda, asked us to be on the team.  That's when I learned that the Jingle Bell Run is a 5k event that is sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.

Having been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in May of 2009, this was an event that was close to my bones and joints! Before being diagnosed,I had never considered Arthritis a 'disease', just something that happened to you once you got old. Boy was I mistaken!

More than 46 million Americans or one in five adults plus nearly 300,000 children have some form of doctor diagnosed arthritis.


• Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of
disability.
• Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking,dressing and bathing for millions of Americans.
• Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half million hospitalizations.
• Arthritis costs the U.S. economy nearly$86.2 billion annually.
• Arthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly 300,000 children.
• Baby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected by arthritis are under age 65.
• Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in or around joints.

I quickly signed up last year and recruited my Mom, Sister (Tara), Tara's friend Lauren, and my sweet friend Kimberley!  We joined the Adventure Boot Camp team and had a blast!  When we arrived, we were surrounded by Holiday Spirit!!  Runners and Walkers were dressed up as Elves, Santas, and Presents!  We choose to wear antler ears on our heads!  Everyone had jingle bells tied to their shoes!  It was a beautiful sound!  I managed to run the whole 5k without stopping once. That was my only goal!

This year, my team is called the 'Dashers and Dancers'. I have verbal commitments from many friends to join! It's only $25 and you receive a long sleeved tshirt, jingle bells, and jingle gloves!  Please consider joining my team!! Or please donate to the Arthritis foundation via my Team Page!

http://jbrmilwaukee.kintera.org/vanessa

I won't win the race, but I will cross the finish line!  And I will run for those that cannot!

I invite you to watch a video to see how fun this event really is!

http://www.eventstreams.com/arthritisnational/013sde/

I'm a Fool

“I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries”

Wake up kitty meet our new puppy!

This is What I Shall Do...

"This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun, and animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men; go freely with the powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and mothers, of families: read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life: re-examine all you have been told at school or church, or in any books, and dismiss whatever insults your soul.” Walt Whitman

People in Glass Houses....

....shouldn't throw stones.

Yep, I'm looking at you, Sug!

m-flo - VANESSA (live mix)

I have to thank the very SWEET Dave Brown for posting this on my FB page. I do believe it's the first time I've heard my name used in a song!! It put a huge smile on my face!

Just another Day in the Life!

Life has been rather interesting lately. Some things are determined to stay the same, and yet others are constantly changing.

First, let's start with the house! NOT SOLD! Ugh! I don't think I'm going anywhere anytime soon. I'm now back to the For Sale with Seller mode of selling. Basically, I am with a company that helps me market the house, but I do the showings. If I bring in a buyer, than I do not need to pay out commission. If a Realtor brings in a buyer, than I pay out only 2.4% commission. With this mode of selling, I have a bit of room for negotiation.

But maybe it's the onset of spring where everything feels good, new, and alive...but I"m beginning to enjoy living in my house again. I no longer think of it as a hinderance to doing the things I want to do. Last Sunday, I was out prepping my flower bed in the back yard and I was mentally making notes about all the things I wanted to plant this year in the beds and in containers on my patio. Last year, I didn't do anything but let my perinnels grow as I truly thought I was moving and though 'what's the point?" I'm also thinking about painting my bedroom once again. It's so bland, blah, and uninspiring.

I'll still keep the house on the market though. I do want to move. I need to get out of Ixonia.

As many of you know, Porticello, (the place I worked part-time for 2 years) closed it's doors at the February. Not a big surprise. There were legal problems with the place even before they opened the restaurant in May of 2008. It was fight to keep it open for a long time, but the owners did the best they could. I was sad when it happened. I made some really great friends there. It's also so disappointing that this beautiful building on the lake will now remain empty. I hope someone buys it soon!!

Almost within 24 hours of hearing that Porticello's closed, I landed another serving job at Zin. Can I just say how much I love it there!! The gals are friendly and fun, the food it great, the music is enjoyable, and the customer base is different than the the other place.

My only problem now is that I am smack dab in the middle of a hellish week. I'm scheduled every night this week from Monday to Saturday. I'm working my full-time job and then leave immediately from there and go to Zin. I don't get home until 9:30 or 10pm and then it takes me a bit to fall back asleep. If I can just push through this week, I'll be fine. I'm starting to feel like it's Groundhog Day. Come Sunday, I might be sleeping right through my Easter Dinner. Someone wipe the ham from my face, please.

Hippo Practice

Less than a week ago, I was chatting on the phone with a dear friend. I was going on and on about the emotional rollercoaster I was on and how one day I was full of forgiveness and love and the next day I was a sobbing and angry mess. My friend than asked me if I heard of Ho’oponopono? Um..nope…the first thing that came to mind was a Hippo named Ho’oponopono. She then sent me a link and as I read through the description I couldn’t stop crying. What I was reading triggered something inside me and it took me several hours just to get through the content. But I started practicing it right away.

Ho'oponopono means to make right. Essentially, it means to make it right with the ancestors, or to make right with the people with whom you have relationships. We believe that the original purpose of Ho'oponopono was to correct the wrongs that had occurred in someone's life including Hala (to miss the thing aimed for, or to err, to disobey) and Hewa (to go overboard or to do something to excess) which were illusions, and even 'Ino (to do harm, implying to do harm to someone with hate in mind), even if accidental.

Upon recognizing those people or things that we have issue with, we simply take a moment and embrace these words:

I love you
I’m sorry
Please forgive me
Thank you

As I said the words over and over, I wasn’t really sure if I believed in what I was doing, I mean, how can I fix things with people that couldn’t even hear or read what I was 'saying'? But, I continued on for an hour or so…reading more on the practice and reciting the words. I slept well that night.

The next day I was pulled into a last minute training session with a co-worker that I had issues with in the past. This is a person that I avoid at all costs as we have such conflicting personalities. I sat down with my co-worker and for about 45 minutes we worked through a problem together. As I was going back to my desk, I raised and eyebrow and realized that it went pretty well. I actually sat in this meeting and at no time did I plot a horrible death for my co-worker. Some sort of peace came over me.

Was Ho’oponopono working for me? I cannot say for sure. This wasn't the person I was seeking to mend fences with or ask for forgiveness or even forgive. But, it's a positive start. I’m still only a few days into this, but I’m feeling calmer and more focused than I have in awhile. I think, if nothing else, this practice is making me more aware of my surroundings and the people around me and how I react to them.

I’ll continue to recite these words and update as I go along.

Happiness

Ho'onoponopono

I love you

Please forgive me

I'm sorry

Thank you