travel – Just a Dash

Travel plans

May 13, 2014May 13, 2014by SymoneF1 Comment

Where to begin… I had plans on experimenting during this trip but that is officially on hold. I came to Houston, Texas with a plan, a list of places to see and things to do. It’s day 2 and I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary.

I have learned of three places that would satisfy my BBQ craving though.

So far, today’s been the best day. Why? My husband spent his free time with me. And like any other time that we spend together including alcohol, I’m always left wondering if people are trying to figure out how long we’ve been married. We behave like friends more than a married couple; weird handshakes, cackles, making faces… The list goes on.

I can’t bring myself to do anything sightseeing related without him. We love to people watch together. We love to take in things together because there is such a sensory overload that is just too much to explain when we do see each other. So far we’ve been to Kona Grill in the Galleria mall, Ara in our hotel, and White Oaks Kitchen + Drinks, 51 Fifteen at Saks Fith Avenue (for drinks) and everywhere, except Kona Grill, is somewhere we’d return to.

I spoke to concierge today and I have 3 places to try for good BBQ: Good & Company, Papasitos and Luling City market (which is the one to try if I don’t get to the others). I’m currently typing this post from the Axis Lounge in our hotel with our excellent bartender Michael serving us drinks and food that are making us happier people by the minute. I’m sipping on a really nice prosecco and eating fried shrimp.

I don’t know what’s in store for tomorrow but I was also told to check out The Bayou, which is in or near the theatre district, downtown Houston, if I don’t want to do any shopping. There’s restaurants and just stuff to see around there.

Any suggestions for places to see/eat at? We’re here until Friday afternoon.

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2013 in Review

January 1, 2014January 22, 2014by SymoneFLeave a Comment

I sat and typed a long post on 2013 but I’m going to scratch that and condense it because even though I thought it was exciting, I don’t want you to get bored and start skimming. So here’s my 2013 recap in pictures and bullet points 🙂 basically TLDR format with pics.

In 2013 I:

♣ Visited 3 new countries: Dominica, Norway, France

2013 in Review — Dancing by the river in Dominica

♣ Took trips throughout the year: Orlando (wedding/January), San Francisco (birthday getaway/February), Dominica, Barbados, Norway (3.5 wks// 2 weddings and a conference in that order/ May-June), England and France (conference// Paris for fun 😉 / November/December), Barbados (surprised family for Christmas/ December)

♣ Had a few new experiences: first awful hangover 😦 (like pass out before the night’s end), took public transport alone in a different country, had traditional high tea in England

Snapshots of Tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair

♣ I played host for 8 weeks straight in July and August for family and friends

♣ Got delayed on almost every flight I took using American Airlines. I’ve already sent a letter to them.

♣ We saw Rihanna, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and J Cole in Concert and Dave Chapelle’s comedy show

♣ I baked two firsts: coconut bread/sweet bread as we call it back home, and my first cake. Got an A for effort and flavor on the cake but need to tweak the recipe so it’s not so dry. The coconut bread was a hit apparently :).

Sandwich cake with Guava Jelly in the middle as my husband doesn't eat berry anything. — Sandwich cake with Guava Jelly in the middle as my husband doesn’t eat berry anything.

WordPress sent me my annual blog report that you can view here. I want to thank you very much for visiting and I hope to do a better job on blogging this year as I spent so much time focusing on my other blog last year. I had tons of drafts that I never got around to publishing, but as I said I’ll try to get better at working on both.

For 2014:

♦ Now that my parents have Fitbits and passed me in the first week due to salsa and walking in the morning, I’m more inspired to workout, they’re over 50!!!

♦ I’m looking forward to visiting a new country, no plans yet but spontaneous trips are the best

Have a wonderful new year. I’ll leave you with a few quotes to help you get through with your direction for this new year in case you were a little lost or need a push.

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Vacation is over//Norway in Photos

June 19, 2013by SymoneFLeave a Comment

There’s nothing worse than settling back into your daily routine after being gone for almost a month. Actually there is – dealing with unpacking and extra laundry on top of it. I am drained. I don’t feel like doing anything. I did a lot but it seems like nothing is being done. I think I did about 6 loads of laundry, and I had laundry there from before we left that had to be put away, so it seems like 10 loads have been done.

I had to do the supermarket run twice because restocking the fridge requires you to go through the week and remember you missed the first time, even if you made a list. Sort mail, shred mail, make sure all bills are paid. I want a vacation now where I just lay on the bed/beach and have everything brought to me. I cooked on Monday and it was a battle to clean the kitchen. I just need a few more days. I should be good next week. I missed the gym though. Let me rephrase that – I missed working out with my trainer, because I don’t get in the gym on my own as often as I should. I’ll do everything next week. I think it was good that we came back on a Sunday that I have this whole week to get myself together and then start fresh next week and be fully into it. We have lots of people popping in and out over July/August and I know my husband wants to squeeze Vegas in before the end of the year and I won’t even discuss Christmas. Lawd help meh!

Enough ranting, let’s enjoy some pics!