SYTYCD

I just LOVE So You Think You Can Dance! Really! That's all. I just simply wanted to proclaim my love for this show. It takes me on a roller coaster of emotion through movement and dance. I mean seriously, I love love love it! Last night was the first voting show and I voted probably 10 times! Results show is tonight. I hope my faves don't get voted off!!

Cuba

My dad sent me this link that has some very cool pictures of different cities in Cuba. So far, I have only looked at the ones from his home town, Sancti Spiritus. There are two albums for his town. All the pictures I have seen of this town have been from my family and in black and white. It was nice to see everything in color. What a great thing this photographer did to bring back memories and a piece of personal history to those who had to flee their homeland and will, most likely, never be able to go back.

http://www.panizophotogallery.com/cuba.htm

Faith

Faith is a powerful thing. It is also something I think is too often tied into religion and God. Of course, it has its place in Christianity, Buddhism and other religious parties but I believe faith is more encompassing that just religion. I believe you can have faith in the universe, in destiny and in people. Or maybe people's souls. Wherever one's faith lies, I hope every person has faith in something; believes in something enough that they feel it in their souls. Those who don't I call lost souls. I can't feel their pain but I can see it in their eyes and causes me pain of another kind. My heart goes out for all the lost souls that are close to me and even those I have only met briefly. I pray for these lost souls every day. I pray that they find something to believe in. I am a realist but I also believe in a greater power. God, the universe, karma...call it what you want but I think every soul needs something to believe in and what I pray for is that every lost soul can find that faith. It brings peace. It brings security. It brings confidence. It's faith that allows you to find comfort in life and with yourself.

We are no longer dirty

I bought a carpet steamer this weekend. Now i am obsessed with steaming everything in my house possible! Friday night I brought it home and did the carpets in the dining room and office. Then yesterday morning I did the carpet in the living room. It was SO DIRTY!! I felt disgusted and victorious at the same time! We had a lot to do yesterday but I also managed to do both sofas and all the cushions. My back is killing me but it was so worth it! I knew I would pick up a lot of dirt since we have animals but I had no idea how good it would feel! HA! Next weekend is Memorial weekend and if we don't go somewhere, I am tackling the stairs! Those should be really disgusting! :)

Jamaica Pix

Rich and I posing on the beach

Our friends got married under this canopy. It was so pretty!

This was our "prom pose" picture right after the sunset on the night of the welcome dinner. They had a steel drum band playing during this night.

All the girls and our pink parasols that came in very handy when it rained during the ceremony!

Heavenly Silence and Blue Mountain Coffee

We are in Negril this week to celebrate our friends' Jamie and Jaclene. They are getting married tomorrow and several of their friends and all of their family came to this amazing resort to witness their vows. The resort is made up of 5 or 6 villas that range in size from 1-5 bedrooms. They are immaculately kept and tucked away from neighboring resorts. Their wedding party has the entire resort rented out so we are practically on our own island! The rooms, the grounds, the staff and the food are incredible. We have a direct view of the ocean from our balcony! It's beautiful! Other than one issue with a bartender in the bride and groom's villa, which was quickly dealt with and resolved, it is pretty much perfect! We got in yesterday and I haven't taken any pictures yet but I will sure to post a couple here and on Facebook.
As for now, I am the first one up (I know to some people this is extremely hard to believe, but it's true) and relishing in the sounds of quiet. The birds are chirping outside and I can hear the fountains by the pool running. I am about to have my first cup of Blue Mountain coffee and read a book on the patio. This is such a happy, me-time quiet that I hope everyone else sleeps in for a couple more hours!

Salsa Disappointment

So, I went "salsa dancing" last night with my friend, Rebecca. Actually, it was a salsa lesson. Okay, fine. I am all for dance lessons. I knew that they taught salsa from 8-9 but I thought it would be, oh I don't know...on the dance floor...with the band playing latin music...or at least a cd playing latin music!! Nope! It was in a closed off back room with NO MUSIC!! Just the instructor counting out steps for an hour. 1-2-3...5-6-7... for an hour. How do you dance or even take a dance lesson with NO MUSIC?!?!? Weird, that's what it was. Just plain weird. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to spend an evening with a friend but this place is 45 minutes from my house! I could have met her half way to have dinner with her, only driven 20 minutes AND gotten a workout in. Sorry for the bitchfest but I was upset (obviously) that a place known for it's live music and dancing would even offer a class without music. Stupid Loca Luna!