Changing Direction

Thank You for Your Service!

2017-01-20T10:13:00.000-05:00

My Thoughts in the Wake of the Orlando Mass Shooting

2016-06-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

Desert Dreams

2016-06-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

I rocked my Desio lenses last night for the first time in the color "Desert Dream".

Another Fun Birthday in Vegas!

2016-02-29T14:07:00.000-05:00

Although we just came back from being in Las Vegas this past December, I wanted to return for my birthday. This time we stayed at the Rio just off The Strip. We've stayed there before so we knew it would be nice. We always have fun playing table games and poker there.

On the night of my birthday we went to see Zarkana at the Aria and it did not disappoint. It's a Cirque du Soleil show so if you've seen one, you KNOW it's going to be something great. Just prior to the show we got a chance to hit The Buffet at Aria. I think that had to be one of the best buffets we've had in a long time.

The next day we did a Scoot City Tour to Red Rock Canyon. It was SO MUCH FUN! So if you are ever in Vegas make sure to build a day in for this.

Our Christmas Vacation in the 4 Corners

2016-01-05T16:15:00.004-05:00

We are back from our latest adventures! 4,031 miles flown and 1,273 miles driven. Here was our route, itinerary, and a mix of pics and videos we shot...

Day 1

Wed. December 23, 2015

Flew from Orlando to Albuquerque, NM
Arrived Albuquerque and picked up our car rental
Explored Albuquerque a bit, had some lunch then headed North to Santa Fe
Spend 1 night in Santa Fe

Day 2

Thurs. December 24, 2015

Before dawn took the 2.5 hour drive up to Taos Ski Valley for skiing and snowmobiling

Winding up the mountains we did a snowmobile tour up to near 10,000 feet and encountered majestic views of the nearby 12,000 foot peaks.

Drove to 4 Corners Monument where the borders of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet.

Drove approximately 6 hours to Monument Valley National Park, Utah.

Stayed overnight at The View Hotel, within Monument Valley National Park.

Day 3

Fri. December 25, 2015

Did a 2 hour jeep and hiking tour of Monument Valley with our Navaho guide Harrison

Visited a traditional ancient style Navaho home called a hogan.

Headed to Page, AZ

Day 4

Sat. December 26, 2015

Hiked Antelope Canyon with Ken's Tours

Our hike was approximately 1 mile one-way to the entrance of Lower Antelope Canyon.

Descending down into the canyon...

Climbing back to the surface...

Hiked to Horseshoe Pass

After grabbing some food and a couple of supplies for our next leg of the trip we set out for our 3.5 hour evening drive to Las Vegas
Arrived in Las Vegas at about 10PM and checked in at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

Day 5

Sun. December 27, 2015

Chilled and gambled a bit. We actually won money to take back home! Woo hoo!!
Saw Star Wars at The Palms Hotel and Casino's IMAX Theater and it was spectacular!

Rode the High Roller Ferris Wheel and enjoyed the awesome views at 550 ft!

Here is a replay of a live Periscope broadcast we did as we walked Linq Blvd where we enjoyed a free Christmas street show.

Day 6

Mon. December 28, 2015

headed home

We had an awesome time and are back to work! We are definitely planning more new adventures in the coming months. Stay tuned!!

It's My Day Off??

2015-12-14T10:53:00.002-05:00

Looks like my video and audio aren't synced...sorry! ;)
So, have YOU ever showed up on your day off? If so, tell me about it.

22 Years

2015-11-21T08:32:00.000-05:00

We just celebrated 22 years of marriage. That's a long time to share a life with someone. Some relationships don't make it nearly half that length of time.

We have had more than our fair share of challenges but somehow...WAIT, by the grace of God...the Universe...fate...the Force...the Source...whatever your belief system is, we overcame and made it to this point. It has taken a lot of love, tolerance, forgiveness, and patience on both our parts but thankfully it has all gone in our favor. We have collaborated, drifted apart, and rejoined countless times but our common goal has always seemed to be to love each other as unconditionally as possible and to withstand TOGETHERNESS!

I have learned so much on this journey called marriage and I'm looking forward to the journey that lies ahead.

Making a Cappuccino with my New Keurig Rivo

2015-11-16T15:26:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite beverages is a cappuccino. I discovered my first one at a Starbucks in Lima, Peru and every since, I have one at least one per week. Well, as time went on there would be times I found myself having them more and more often until I started setting a little "Starbucks" budget. That is until now!

I decided to take a chance and buy a Keurig Rivo cappuccino maker and I'm SO glad that I did. I have had the Rivo for about a month now and have not been to Starbucks since. I'm not saying that I won't ever go back to Starbucks but it will be a lot less.

Below is a Periscope broadcast I did showing how easy it is to prepare one. If you aren't familiar with Periscope it's where folks tune in to watch your live broadcast and chat to you in the process.

Photo courtesy of Keurig.com

Back from Our Cali Trip: A Thank You Message and Periscope Lessons Learned

2015-11-03T17:04:00.002-05:00

Our Week in Cali

2015-11-03T16:55:00.001-05:00

We had such an awesome time in Long Beach and San Diego. Here are some pics, videos, and Live Periscopes we did while we were there...

The Panarama Lounge in our hotel in Long Beach. http://ktch.tv/2zzQ

Seal Beach Pier, Long Beach http://ktch.tv/2z6V

Whale Watching and other Sea Life Cruise

Periscoping at our hotel...
San Diego Zoo

Cute sea otter!

Feeding camels...

Driving to Torrey Pines

Relaxing at Mission Beach (video to come)

Staying In My Sweet Spot

2015-09-20T11:24:00.002-04:00

I am so grateful for this life and all of it's many blessings.

Jamaica

2015-08-05T04:21:00.001-04:00

Had a lovely quick visit to Jamaica! Flying down and surprising my man was a thrill. Although I wasn't there for all the festivities of the family reunion, I still got to enjoy the finale.

Happy Anniversary Chris!

2014-11-20T15:29:00.000-05:00

It's our 21st Wedding Anniversary today and since we couldn't possibly top last year's celebratory Hawaii cruise this year, I went on a search to find something unique and sentimental that I could give and I found Mosaic. Mosaic lets you upload 20 photos and arrange them into a high quality, hardcover bound book. I gathered up some 2014 selfies of his favorite gal ;) and made this into a gift.

The Mosaic app is free for Android or iPhone (cost of the book is $25) so just visit http://heymosaic.com if you're interested in making your very own.

What Am I Thinking?

2014-11-17T15:24:00.002-05:00

What Am I Thinking?
Hmm...wouldn't you like to know? ;)

Well, for a rainy, cloudy, Monday I'm in an extraordinarily good mood and feeling quite energized. I guess all this meditating I've been doing is centering me. I have so much to be thankful for.

If you don't meditate and are interested in learning the benefits and getting started, try this link...http://www.chopra.com/ccl/sections/meditation

~Namaste~

Touching Story of Guardianship

2014-09-16T04:53:00.002-04:00

This Super Soul Short by John Chester shows a beautiful example of guardianship. It touched my spirit for sure.

*video courtesy OWN TV's YouTube channel

Sharing A Few Thoughts

2014-09-12T11:43:00.001-04:00

Jammin Friday!

2014-08-15T11:18:00.000-04:00

This morning on my way in to work, one of my favorite songs came on the radio so I hit the record button and started jammin. I have a lot to be sad about lately but I have WAY more reasons to be happy. So I captured one of those moments. Now I've got to work on stretching those moments out to the rest of my day today... :-)

Morning Commute

2014-08-13T11:30:00.001-04:00

Sent from LG Optimus G Pro

My Rant on Boomerang Items

2014-08-11T13:00:00.000-04:00

Starting My Week

2014-07-28T14:37:00.000-04:00

Losing Mom

2014-07-23T10:18:00.002-04:00

I lost my mother a few weeks ago to cancer. Although it was expected, it happened WAY faster than any of us thought. I come from a line of mostly long-livers on both sides of the family so in our eyes she died young. I have been on quite the emotional roller coaster, my own and other family members' which has proven quite stressful. Oh yeah, on top of it I have a marriage, home, and job to maintain which makes it even more challenging. This is new territory for me because although I have experienced the loss of close family members, it's my first time losing a parent...my mother...the woman who brought me life. I also haven't really had a direct role in some of the responsibilities dealing with after-life business to tie up until now. When you're in that role, it's a constant battle of keeping up with what needs to be done while managing all the emotions and dealing with the emotions of other family members. Plus, I don't always know what to do so I'm reaching out for resources and advice on how to handle things. This is where a good support system is necessary. I can say that there have been some who have stepped up and some who have fallen back. It's understandable because different people handle grief in different ways. I have also been enlightened on who my friends are...It has been both a surprising and disappointing experience but that is life I suppose. The one thing I seem to hear a lot is that "you're the strong one". Um...just because I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve and try very hard to focus on what needs to be done, doesn't make me the strong one. I don't know. I think that having that label is dangerous because we tend to be given too much and in being responsible people, take on too much. I am trying to keep the balance so that my health isn't affected though but it's a tough balancing act for sure. In my quiet moments alone, usually when I first awaken in the morning is generally when I have to deal with my emotional pain the most. Some mornings I don't want to get out of bed but that isn't really a choice. I just keep pushing and take some comfort in knowing that Mom is no longer in pain, in a better place, and I will see her again. There are a lot of things around me to remind me of her and it's a bittersweet pill to swallow but I believe she knew in her last days and moments how much she was loved. Love you Mom...Forever!

Tried Something New

2014-06-20T06:13:00.002-04:00

So Inspiring!

2013-09-04T15:24:00.002-04:00

I love this lady! She never gave up on her dream to swim from Cuba to the U.S. On her 5th try she made it! What I got from this is that age is just a number, so whatever your dreams, go for it and never give up!

"Choice Point: Align Your Purpose" Trailer

2013-07-09T11:06:00.000-04:00

This is the official trailer for Choice Point: Align Your Purpose. Choice Point is a powerful new documentary film featuring world leading visionaries including Sir Richard Branson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Gregg Braden, Barbara Marx Hubbard, David Hamilton Jack Canfield and many more. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Cool Kids

2013-07-01T09:29:00.000-04:00

A dear friend sent me this video in an email simply titled "Be Yourself". I had no idea that it would be about a couple of cool kids who are rocking it out.

Unlocking The Truth - Malcolm Brickhouse & Jarad Dawkins from The Avant/Garde Diaries on Vimeo.