Colleen going to school... across the Pond!

Arianne writes:

"Its good to be patient"... or so I try to live by... but sometimes its just too gosh darn hard! I even try to tell myself that "things will all work out in the end" and "there is a reason for everything"...

sometimes I even spread that wisdom on to friends. And its nice to see that some of the times those bits of wisdom may be right on.

Today I am on cloud 9... and not because of anything that has happened to me. No. Today we celebrate (after 2 years of frustration) our friend Colleen has the opportunity to get her Masters at the University of College of London! I don't think I could be any more prouder of her if she were my very own flesh and blood. And even though I will miss her bunches - the frustration I know that has been building up in her is being released.... and celebrated over Tasty Adult Beverages!
Colleen's frustration reminds me of my own (4 years ago) before moving to Miami. There is a feeling of greatness that you are unable to achieve. No matter how hard you try to reach for it - it just slips through your fingers. Sometimes its like being in your own personal hell, knowing what you want to do and not being able to do it... our Generations Quarter Life Crisis. In order for me to get out of mine I had to move to Miami... even though it feels like a foreign country, sometimes. I can applaud her for her choice to go to school abroad.
So I say - with a Stongbow in my hand - Congrats Colleen! Congratulations on getting on with your 1/4 life crisis... and moving on to London. Just be ready for a visit!

Art Deco Weekend

The Art Deco festival (once again) has come and gone. This year Arianne had the proud pleasure of playing the part of Sue Joe, a lost snow bird. Sue Joe was accompanied with her two family members Donna Joe (Sommer) and Bobby Joe (Andy) on a the-a-ter trip to New York City!

We had a blast dancing up and down Ocean Drive in these obnoxious costumes asking people which direction was the Statue of Lib-er-ty. The number of people we actually got to pose as "Broadway Stars", the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building amazed us all. The highlight of the weekend was getting our picture on the front page of the Metro Section in the Miami Herald. Can't wait for next year!

Faride's baby is almost here!

So... Faride could not stay away from FTF! Even during Art Deco weekend where most are running away for their lives. But to be honest... I'm really glad she couldn't. It was so nice to see her and spend some time with her before the big day. It's hard to believe that the big day is almost here... gosh time really does fly. Crazy to think that in a few short weeks Faride's little girl will be here. I can't wait to meet her. I am sure she will be as beautiful as her mother...

Happy Anniversary...

Today Kevin and I celebrated our 5th year as Husband and wife.  Last night we decided that we wanted to escape to some place so we drove (at 11pm) to the nearest Panera Bread with laptop in tow.  Since Comcast has yet to fix our cable since before Christmas we are without internet... but that did not stop me from booking a room at Universal for our anniversary.  

We got up this morning and headed out for Orlando at 9am... but by the time we got past the Hard rock Casino in Ft Lauderdale Kevin realized that we had left the suitcase with all of our clothes for dinner tonight.  Because of traffic it was almost 11am... I was not turning around.  Nope we will just have to find some clothes when we get to Orlando.  That will be our gift to each other! 

Soon (well, not really) we end up in Orlando and head to the mall.  After giving up trying to find something for me in Macys - we head for the Banana Republic.  But before we could get to the store we pass White House/ Black Market.  I absolutely love this store... and the sign in the window had 75% Sale on it... So in I go.  And I am so glad that we did.  There in the sale section I see the dress I have been eyeing in Miami... but 75% off...  I try it on... and its PERFECT!  Happy Anniversary Arianne!   With my dress in my little hands we head back to Macys to get Kevin his shirt and pants... some new shoes and jewelry for me.  By the time we were done paying for everything it is time to eat...  

We arrive at the Portifino Bay Hotel at Universal and  check in.  This hotel is absolutely  charming... I feel as though we have stepped into Italy somehow...  

 Then we headed to Sal's Market Deli for a light lunch.... dinner at ROY's was waiting for us so I was not going to fill up before then... But we did enjoy an early happy hour with a nice pinot grigio. After lunch we headed back to the room where Kevin sat there watching the tv like he had never seen a tv before.  I felt bad for him since we had not had any cable for almost a month (stupid Comcast not being able to fix a cut wire) so I let him watch his sports center stuff.  Then it came time for dinner.  

I love Roys so much and I will be so sad next time we visit Orlando and have to pay for it.  Anyway, we got all dressed up and headed out.  We had a lovely dinner - our waiters were great... and the water boy was fabulous!  The best part was dessert.  The pineapple and chocolate lava cakes... yummy!  I had to take a picture of it!  

After dinner we came back to the hotel and headed out for The Thirsty Fish (wine bar that sits on the Harbor)...  we sat there drinking martinis and listening to the music of a female singer and a guy playing a guitar.   At midnight we walked over to the bar at the Hard Rock Hotel and stayed there for a bit longer... then we walked back to our room. 

The next morning we had breakfast outside at the Trattoria del Porto... I didn't want to go home but Kevin had to work that night.  So we drove home after breakfast....  

It was a nice little getaway - and a wonderful celebration of being married for 5 years. 

  

Things Arianne learned in 2007

Things Arianne learned in 2007

1. My Cars are not safe in West Kendall. Both of them… In the ghetto of the Grove… Yes! They even get a bath for free from the local drug dealer. But Kendall? Hell NO! And neither are the seats…. Which seem to be very popular… not the whole engine of my car… but the busted up seats.
2. Car payments suck! Even though I love my Mini! Debt is BAD… The Banana Republic is EVIL! And sometimes I can't help but be Bad with Evil! And bit by bit I am overcoming it all!
3. Heated Seats are indeed useful in Miami, Florida.
4. Turning 29 was not as bad and I thought it was going to be. Yes, I had my "Rachel" moment. But now… it doesn't matter so much.
5. There is always drama in theatre…
6. Wearing the Doodle Bird outfit for 45 minutes a day will help take off those love handles and flabby waist.
7. Its better to be with the drunk than be like a teenager with no alcohol.
8. It's ok to take time for me! If I don't – no one will! If I throw myself down over the puddle for others – they will walk over me!
9. I would have enjoyed The Mummy Ride a lot more those 10 times if I would have gotten my cup of coffee!
10. Face your fears – like being tied to a wire and swinging off of a trapeze swing! I can do anything! Especially when you have great friends cheering you on!
11. Massages are fun! And justly deserved!
12. I shouldn't take 6am flights anymore… I can't keep my mouth shut!
13. My nephew Jayden is one cool 2 year old! And he has helped me realize that I wouldn't be a horrible mom! I am no longer afraid to have children now. I'm ready! After I get back from Europe… ?
14. 10 years = tons of laughs and tons of tears! But I have the best friend in the world. And even though I tried to give up on us in the past – we are still together. He is my rock. I am his voice! And together we make one hell of a team! And our luggage (as matched as it may be) will travel the world together for another 10 years – and more…
15. The Red Sox are not just the best baseball team in the world… but a glimmer of hope for those who feel lost… Keep the Faith! If all you can think about when you get up in the morning is Baseball – then Honey you were meant to be in Baseball! And there's no crying in Baseball!

I can't wait to see what I learn in 2008