Yosemite, July 2010

In July, I went to Yosemite with some friends. I had gone just a few weeks before with Kelley, but it was amazing how things had changed in those few weeks. Most of the heavy snow had obviously melted long before, as the waterfalls, although still very full, were nothing like the previous trip. There's a bridge at Lower Yosemite Falls that I stood on and nearly froze to death from the mist the last time, but I don't think I even got a slight mist this trip.


Half dome! Always amazing!!!


After hiking up a bit, I sat here for almost an hour. It was bliss. I just felt so comfortable. This area must have been under freezing water when I went there the month before, but the weather was just perfect and the rocks were actually very comfortable. Bliss!


Lower Yosemite Falls


Half Dome looked awesome in the setting sun


The crew I went with

One of the most haunting songs

While I was in the shower this morning, I heard one more time the song 'Cats in the Cradle' and I realized that this is one of the most haunting songs there is. It really hit me how we have to take advantage of our time with our families. Of course, I don't have any children (yet), but I think about how quickly my niece and oldest nephew grew up and look at my nephews now. I want to spend so much time with them, although it's difficult with spending time with family, ex-in laws, as well as new in-laws that treat the kids as their own grandparents. And I love spending time with my parents.

Since my last real post

Well, let's see, since my last real post, I've gone to Yosemite twice (awesome pics that I planned on sharing. I've also gone to Hawaii. I really need to show some of those pics. I've been at my house for over a year now. I still miss my old ward. Being in the Primary is not the easiest way to get to know people in a new ward. Especially since they split Primary, so I only interact with about seven adults most Sundays.

And I really need to start finding and hanging out with some fellow midsingles. Time to listen to Keturah and go with her to some of these activities.

My job is going alright. I'm still on the bottom (tied) of my seniority list at work, but I think I'll be alright.

And I'm planning on another trip to Hawaii. I wanted to go with Kelley again when she goes in January, but by the time I looked at tickets, they were over $600 (she got an awesome deal for about $300). I kept looking, but couldn't find anything cheaper than $600 for that timeframe. But then another friend told me she wanted to go again, and after checking a bit longer, decided to go with her. So I will be going again.

Last year at this time, my Mom and I were excited to be going on our trip to the Mediterranean. It was such an awesome trip, that we both miss it a lot. So, we're looking at going that way again or go on a trip to Israel. Hey, sometimes being single is fun (my mom's not single, but my dad doesn't like to cruise).

Why the lack of posts

I haven't posted much because my laptops suck. Yep, laptopS! I accidentally stepped on my screen of my laptop a few months ago. Now I can only use that one in my bedroom when it's hooked up to my TV. I bought a replacement one, but it's been a lemon, and I need to reinstall Windows and hope that helps everything. So being on the Internet hasn't been convenient at home. and I've been busy on Facebook or iTunes when I'm at my bedroom computer. Hopefully when I get the other one fixed I'll post more. I had meant to put up pictures on both my recent trips to Yosemite and my brother's wedding. Hopefully I'll get to those. I have to put up pictures from my next trip, Hawaii!

Can it really be only a year?

It seems like it's been forever since I've had my little Jewely with me. But indeed tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the loss of my little Jewely. I miss her so much. I don't like dwelling on such a sad time, but with her death being right after Independence Day, it's easy to remember, as it is with Diego's, a few days before Halloween.

Jewely, I love you, miss you, and think about you all the time. I know you'll be there to greet me some day when it's my turn to cross over. Goodbye, my love.

http://disneycoug.blogspot.com/2009/07/life-and-meaning-of-jewely-gilson.html

A bit rusty here

Wow, it's been awhile. I'm not in the midst of a mouse hunt. I have a mouse in my house. He's been here about a month, but he's only recently really bugged me. He's killed two plants of mine (the first one was my Mother's Day flower from last year, the first plant I had that was going to live more than a year. That made me mad.

I'm also trying to get my house painted, my large tree stump removed from my front yard, and new furniture. I just need people to help. I need someone to help with the tree stump removal and helping move the furniture inside. I wouldn't mind help with the painting as well. Maybe I'll see if some friends on Facebook would be willing to help.

The only thing constant....

Dealing with change is so difficult for me. I think it's often difficult for everyone, but when you're single, it can be even more so. I've always been bad at saying goodbye - it tears me up inside. I remember many years ago when my uncle, aunt, and cousin came to visit from Washington. We had a lot of fun, but as they left, I remember just being so sad, because I didn't know when I'd see them again. And all through my life, I'm always sad when not only friends leave, but when I know situations won't ever be the same again.

Like, I could always move back to Provo, but it will never be the same as when I was there going to BYU. Not that it wouldn't be good - just that it would be far different.

Even with the Gospel perspective, I have a hard time with change. When my grandpa died, I was of course comforted to know that I'll see him again, but I was sad. It'll be my grandpa when he was younger (most likely), not my cute ol' grandpa.

Over the years, I've had many friends move away or leave for a time and season. It's always so tough for me. Friends get married, they move away, and I'm still here. It's not that tough being single when you have friends to do things with. But sometimes I feel that everyone is either leaving or moving on, and I'm left alone. Last summer I felt that way, as friends moved away and every single person I call a close friend got into a relationship, even some that never had before. I went into a depression, feeling so much like I was alone. If I had gotten my head out of my #@% I would have realized that even though my friends were busy, they still had time for me. In fact, some were almost begging to let them help me in my move, but I didn't let them. I kept thinking they were busy. Anyway, this is a side note.

And now another summer is approaching. With it comes friends returning from school, but also graduation and other trips that take friends away. I miss my routine. I miss the past. I miss how things used to be.

Change is always hard, but I know it makes us all stronger. We are beings that must adapt, that need to adapt. But it's hard.

Really getting into baseball

Since I was a little girl watching Will Clark and the San Francisco Giants, I have been a fan of the Giants. However, baseball was never really my thing, so even after moving to the SF Bay Area, I hardly went to any games at the new (then called) Pac Bell Park. It actually took until a company sponsored trip for a project that we completed that I went to my first game. We took the ferry and made it to sit in the left field cheap seats. Only problem - the Giants had secured a postseason birth the day before, so we were basically watching a Triple A team play.

Still, I enjoyed it, but didn't get back to watch a game until last year when I went with my brother and his kids for my nephew's birthday. We lost to the Dodgers, but I really enjoyed myself.

This year I find myself really interested in baseball. The Giants are supposed to have a pretty good team, but I think I just find myself nostalgic for the game. Baseball games don't have the intensity of football games. They are more laid back, but with exciting moments. And I'm really craving that this year. So I've already gone to one game this year, another loss - the Giants one and only loss until last night. And I plan on going to more. I want to go to a daytime game sometime soon. I don't have a ton of money to go to games, but I do want to go to some more, and maybe even pay a bit extra to sit in a different area, in order to enjoy a different aspect of the game.

So you might see some posts about that this year. Hopefully the Giants do well, but I'll be enjoying them either way.

By the way, I know they keep losing when I go, but I REALLY don't think it's because of me. I have a feeling the Giants have absolutely no clue that I'm there. And thanks for going with me, Kelley. It was a lot of fun, even though we lost!

A simple thing can mean so much

Last Sunday I was at church (well, my second ward - I've been going to two wards for the past four weeks) and after Sunday School saw a friend out of the corner of my eye. I reached over to give her a hug and I think just said something like, "Hi! It's great to see you" and then went on with whatever it was I was doing. I don't think that I asked her how she was doing or anything, just a simple hug.

She wrote on my Facebook later that she really needed that hug more than I could ever know. Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm a hugger. I love hugs, and don't get them enough, so I'll give a hug to anyone who wants one and will try giving hugs to anyone I think is accepting of one, so it's not unusual for this to have happened, but it really makes me think of how simple gestures can have profound impacts on someone. I'm glad I was able to brighten her day, if just a little.

It's a reminder to me how important it is to do those simple things you might not think are that important, like a smile, a simple "Hello!" or a hug. Of course it would have been better if I took more time to talk with her and catch up, but at least that quick 10 to 15 second thing was able to help her in some way. I hope I can remember that and take the time to be there for others when they need something like a hug or a smile.

I am selfish

You know, I was thinking of my last post and realized I am dang selfish. I have to admit when I hear a friend has broken up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, one of the thoughts that crosses my mind is, "Oh good, they'll have more time to hang out with me." Of course, I feel bad for them and try to comfort them, but I do think about how this will benefit me.

I of course want my friends to be happy. I want them to get married and have families. Of course that's what I want too. But it is nice that since I'm single, I have single friends to do things with.

I need to stop worrying about what will benefit me and just try to be a better friend to my friends - to be more supportive and unconditionally love them.

Sometimes I wish it was all laid out for me

I listened to a couple of talks this weekend at church that really got me thinking. Not so much what was said, but it just got me to thinking. The topic was patriarchal blessings. I believe everybody that reads this is LDS, but just in case - a patriarchal blessing is a blessing we get once in our lives that is kind of personal revelation that will help guide you in your life. Some people get really detailed blessings, telling them of events in their life.

The thing is, mine wasn't quite so. I remember being in the Patriarch's office, waiting for the blessing, and sure this was going to point me exactly where I needed to go. And I felt like I really needed that direction. And here it came..... but it was pretty short, and really gave me generalizations and not too much specific. I mentioned to the patriarch that I wanted to get married and raise a family. In the blessing, it said that those were worthwhile goals and I should strive to obtain them. It never said that I would. I guess I should have known then.

I'll admit that I was disappointed. I wanted that detailed map of my life. I needed it. I wondered how hard it would be to get a new blessing, perhaps when I went to school. Surely there was something wrong with Brother Hurst. For some reason, there were two Patriarchs in our stake, and I wondered if I should go to the other one.

Someone once told me that sometimes the Lord gives shorter blessings to those who don't need much direction. I don't know if that's true in my case, but I think I've come to the realization that the Lord wants me to struggle, to not have all the answers, to be a little lost in this world and to rely on him.

I think I'm naturally a dependent person. I'll pretty much do whatever other people want to do. I'm happy doing what other people want, as long as I'm with people. I think I might depend too much on a more detailed blessing, instead of going out and conquering the world, learning for myself.

As I pondered on that during those talks, I applied that to my life as a whole. I have no idea why I have to endure what I'm enduring in life. There is absolutely nothing I'd like more than to have a family. But it hasn't come close to happening for 35 years, and I don't see it happening anytime soon. I think that'd I'd make a great wife and a wonderful mother. I'd watch football with the husband and then act out Disney movies or other fantastical stories with my children. I'd be a dotting (sp?) wife and mother.

But being single was forced me to be independent. When I graduated from BYU, I wanted to live close to my parents, but not too close. Every time I go visit my family, I want to move back there and just be around my family. But I don't think I'd grow that way. I'd probably go back and forth between my parents, my brother, and my sister, and never get out to experience life and get to know new people. Here I have to, and I have to learn to do my own thing. To accept who I am, no matter how flawed I know I am. To know when I turn off the lights at night to my empty house, that I'll be OK. Or at least I hope I will be.

I honestly don't know how long I can do this. But every time I don't think I can bear it anymore, I'm blessed with new found strength. Being alone sucks, and if it weren't for my friends, I don't know how I could ever do it. There was a time a few months back when just about all of my single friends were dating someone, and other friends were moving away. It was miserable for me, and I felt again that I was left out of what the Lord wants for all of us, and that here I was again one single woman left to myself. Not that hanging with married friends is bad, and I am grateful for my second families I've had over the years. And I really needed my second family months ago. Thank you, T.

And I'm sorry for neglecting my friends in the past. It was purely unintentional, and I didn't think they really would miss me much. I'm glad to learn I was wrong. I hope to always be there for them as they've been for me.

I am so blessed to have recently rediscovered a friend. Oh we've been friends for years now, but recently become much closer. You really need friends sometimes to remind you that you're a great person just as you are. Doesn't mean you can't and shouldn't try to improve upon yourself, but that you're also fine just as you are. You know who you are, and I want to thank you. I know you're probably tired of me saying that, but after neglecting you (and others) so long, I want to make sure you know you're oh so appreciated.

So I am blessed. And I'm continuing to learn to be more independent. I've struggled with things, particularly in the last two years. But hopefully I'm getting better, more sure of myself. I have no idea where this crazy journey called my life will end up, but I will forge through with my small blueprint, trying to do what the Lord asks of me. Trying to be the best friend I can be, trying to do better at my callings, and to be a better example to others and to live and enjoy life.

Will I ever meet that knight in shining armor? Who knows? I'd like to think yes, but I really don't know. In the meantime, I certainly have plenty to work on in improving myself, and plenty of people to spend time with and enjoy. Maybe my lot in life is to be the perennial aunt. Being the second mother to my niece, my Young Women, Primary children, and my friends children. My greatest fear, other than something happening to my family and friends, is to be alone. And of course, that's what I'm tasked with in life. But I know I'll be stronger because of it, and that I'll learn and grow.

Dang, this wasn't supposed to be a poor me post, but it kind of turned into that. Hey, life's difficult sometimes; we all have our challenges. I know that. I don't mean to gripe about my life, but want to let you know that I know that there must be some reasons for the challenges I face, as I'm sure there are reasons for the challenges you face. But there is a plan, and a hope for greater things to come in the future. But for now, I'll just try my best to enjoy the life I have.

Day 1

First, let me just say, I remember when I started and thought absolutely nobody read this blog. But now I've learned my readership is at least in the high single digits! Actually, it's great to hear from people who I never knew read my blog mention something I wrote. Kind of fun! So thanks to those of you who read my little blog.

And it's great to hear from some friends who have said they're in on the challenge. Teresa, were you serious? Let's do it!!!!

So while I say this is day one, I've been trying to lose weight since the beginning of the year. I started off by not drinking sodas. Actually, that's something I started last year, but when a friend brought over a nice Dr. Pepper for me while I was moving, it was all over. First it was, "I'll just drink until I'm done with the move thing" then "Ill start again in August" which all never happened. So I started again at the beginning of the year. And I have broken it twice - once when I had a Dr. Pepper for my birthday (because I was REALLY dragging and wanted to be a bit more awake for my birthday) and once on Sunday, when I went to a birthday party and they had real draft A&W root beer. Now the excuse for the root beer is that, well, I'm a sucker for draft root beer from A&W. At least it's made with sugar and not high fructose corn syrup.

But yesterday I signed up for 24 Hour Fitness and ate less. I signed up online and even went there after work. Then after my workout, I figured I needed new clothes. Because I like to spend money. So I bought some clothes and am ready!

Yesterday I just had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a pb&j for lunch, and one cup of tortellini (which is a lot less than I normally eat) and some corn (yes, too much starch, I'll have to get more vegetables), plus a few bags of fruit snacks. I'll have to work on the fruit snacks. But at least for yesterday, I wasn't really that hungry. I'm surprised how much I was full. I think the Lord is helping me combat my hunger. I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get!

Time to lose weight....

....or as my physics teacher at BYU would say, time to lose mass. I've needed to lose weight for awhile, but I finally think I have the motivation to do it. First motivation - my sister signed up for Team in Training and completed a marathon last year. A marathon! Then my brother has gotten into cycling and is going to participate in a diabetes ride. There's a third reason, but I'm going to keep that private for now (Kelley might know).

So my plan is to lose at least 50 pounds by the time I go to Hawaii. That's about 10 pounds a month. I signed up for 24 Hour Fitness today, and I really want to sign up for Team in Training, doing a triathlon. That's probably in the future, but I do enjoy cycling and swimming, and I guess I should do running too.

I've already given up soft drinks, and now I'm going to give up fast food and prepared food. I need to get better at cooking anyway.

I know it won't be easy, but I really need to do it to work on my own self confidence, and to prevent diabetes and other diseases from getting me. And sheesh, I can't ride on Roar at Discovery Kingdom anymore. I love that ride!

Going to Hawaii!

One of my goals in life is to visit each state. Some states I'm more excited about than others. Alaska was fantastic! My little stay in Alabama was great as well - going to SpaceCamp! I want to visit them all. North Dakota... I'm sure I'll enjoy it when I'm there, but it's not exactly the top of the list. Actually, the New England states are definitely up there.

But my next big state to visit is Hawaii. I've always wanted to visit Hawaii, as most people do. A couple of years ago an elder served in our ward who is from Fiji. He's now going to BYU-Hawaii and performs at the Polynesian Cultural Center. I've really wanted to go and see the PCC while he was there. What could be cooler than seeing a friend actually performing!? So the other night we were having a very late dinner/early breakfast and I mentioned to my friend that we needed to have another party at her house in the summer. That's when one of my friends said he couldn't make it because he'd be in his native Hawaii. I remember thinking that as much as I liked going swimming in Sacramento, I really wanted to go to Hawaii. Besides my friend performing at the PCC, now I had another excuse to go to Hawaii - to visit one of my friends. My friend Kelley was so ready to accept that! So I'm going to Hawaii! I'm so excited!!!


We're going to visit this guy!


But some of you visiting this blog my remember him with a little less skin showing.

I need help from my sistas!

So, I need some help from my friends who I know read this blog (at least occasionally). Being 35 and never in a serious relationship, I think it's safe to say I'm awkward around the men. I know a lot of it has to do with self esteem issues, which have only got harder to deal with as I've gained weight and gotten older.

So, there's a new guy I'm interested in. He's seven years younger than me, but that doesn't seem to be a problem so much for a guy in his late 20s as it might be for a guy closer to just being off his mission. Besides, that's almost the exact age difference between my brother and his girlfriend. And I know a few girls he dated or was interested in before, and they've had some poundage with them. Not as big as me, but still an encouraging trend.

And I should point out that we're friends. Not great friends, but still pretty good. I don't have a lot of single guy friends (I have a lot of sort of friends, but nobody I hang out with other than at large group activities), so I don't want to jeopardize the friendship at all. So, you married people who have been successful at wooing a man, I need help. How do I let him know I'm interested without scaring him if he's not. Is that possible, or do I need to either let it be or go out on that limb?

So help me oh experienced ones. You're my only hope. (Star Wars reference)

Day 15: Going Home

And finally, it was time to go home. (I should point out this was actually day 16. I didn't count the first travel day, because it was just waiting around and flying and then recovering at the bed and breakfast. Actually, so that makes it day 17. Wow).

We had a wake up call to make sure we were up, finished packing, and then headed to the buffet for one last breakfast. I don't believe I had an omelet that day, but there was still plenty of good stuff to eat.


Our 'butler' and stateroom attendant, Ivan and Hussein (Ivan pronounced Eee-vahn). The butler made the beds and did turn down service at night, and got us anything we needed. The stateroom attendant emptied the trash and cleaned the bathrooms. This was Ivan's last trip, as we was cutting short his contract to go home and spend time with his wife, who was expecting their first child very soon after that.

We went back to our stateroom and waiting for them to call our boarding numbers. Kevin made the announcement, and that was the last I heard of him (didn't get to see him). We shuffled along with the other people in our departing group and walked off the ship.


Our cruise director, John. He was such a fun guy, and made everyone feel special.


I feel bad. I'm pretty sure this is Phil, the hotel director. I do know he was always a very pleasant gentleman and very nice.

The cruise director is in charge of entertainment and everything relating to the cruise portion of the ship. That makes him one of the most important men on the ship. The hotel director is in charge of everything that would be like a regular hotel - so mainly everyone's lodging.

We gathered our luggage from the luggage carousels (they had us leave our big luggage outside our door the night before to be off-loaded). We got our bags and put them on our shuttle bus and then drove away to the airport. Goodbye Azamara Journey.

Now, when there are roundabouts, which are very prevalent in Europe, they are usually good things that I enjoy so much more than regular intersections. They eliminate the need in most cases for stoplights. However, in Barcelona, they had a huge roundabout with stoplights all along the way. We basically had to make a left hand turn, but had to go through about five stoplights along this roundabout to do it, and each light was red. So annoying.


The sunrise was so beautiful that morning. I wish I could have got out of our bus and taken some more. This doesn't do it justice.

Traffic was bad, but we finally made it to the airport. Our flight was scheduled to leave soon, and we weren't sure we were going to make it in time. Funny enough, the Benicia couple that we met earlier was on a different flight, getting home a couple of hours after we did. Anyway, when we expressed concern, they told us that if it got to crunch time, they would call for all passengers going to Frankfurt. We made it in time, went to Frankfurt (where I spent my last few euros on a Frankfurt magnet, so I can say I've been to Germany), and then made the long flight home.

This flight, unlike the flight there, was all during the day. I liked the movies they were playing, and stayed up almost the whole time. I was very glad when we finally made it home, and waited until my friends could pick us up.


Sunset outside the San Francisco airport. See, we even have nice sunsets here.

And we made it home, had something to eat, and rested, until my mom left the next morning to go home to my dad.

It was such a great trip. What a beautiful world God has given us. Probably the only time I'll get to go to the Western Mediterranean with my Mom. Not that I wouldn't mind going there again real soon, but I think I'd first like to see the Eastern Mediterranean (Greece, Israel, etc) and South America, if I get to go on a cruise anytime soon.

If anything else about the trip catches my attention and I want to share, I'll definitely post it here, but for now, that's the end of my trip report. Thanks to everyone who's read them and to those who have left comments. I hope it was given you a glimpse of the wonderful trip I got to experience and the wonder world we have.

Day 14: Barcelona Bound

We weren't scheduled to arrive into our final port, Barcelona, until 3 PM, but our captain was able to take a different route and get us in at 2 PM, so we had more time in Barcelona. Still, that left us with much of the day at sea, so they scheduled some things to keep us entertained in the morning. Mom and I had breakfast at the buffet. I believe that day I had my last ham, cheese, and bacon omlette, some sausage and bacon, some hot chocolate, and some oatmeal. Yes, way too much, but hey, it was my last real breakfast. I had to go all out.


Here I am with my cruise-crush and dancing partner Kevin. I forgot to put this is yesterday's post, as I took it later that night, after the magic show. He's a little short, but that's OK. Plus I found out that last day he's only 23. I thought he was more like 28. I felt like a cougar.


One really cool thing our captain did, which the parent company Azamara liked so much they say they're going to make it a part of all of their cruises, is to have a representative from each country that worked on the crew to come up, say what country they were from, and say a quick greeting or something like that, and then all stand on stage. It was meant to show how we could all get along and work together. It was great and very emotional. When a crew member got on board that I knew, I'd of course cheer louder. The lady from Brazil who served on the activities staff (she was technically the fashion consultant) was one of my favorites (darn, I can't remember her name). And I think the only American other than the cruise director, was Kevin. He had a great American flag tie. He said he wasn't sure if he should wear it, but decided to. Other people around agreed it was great. It was a great moment that we could all be together and not worry about strifes. The crew member from Pakistan standing right by the crew member from India.


Captain Theodoro and me. He's a very nice and personable captain

We finally sailed into Barcelona. Our final excursion was to go around town and then to the La Sagrada Familia. Driving around town, we went by several places that were host to the Barcelona Olympics. One personal highlight for me was when we went by the diving pool. I would have liked to stop and got out and take pictures. That's the image I have most from those Olympics, seeing the city of Barcelona from the diving platform. Definitely the best diving venue I've ever seen in the Olympics. More things should be open air.

There's a lot of strange architecture in Barcelona. During one vista/picture stop, we saw a building in the distance that one guest described as a bullet. The tour guide said, "we say it looks like many different things," hinting that it looked a bit phallic.


We made it to the La Sagrada Familia, which is a beautiful church that was started over a hundred years ago by the architect Gaudi, and won't be complete until at least 2026. It's all privately funded and is just enormous. There is so much symbolism on there, it's amazing. The pictures don't do it justice, and it looks a lot prettier in person. From a distance, I didn't like it, but it's amazing up close. Each side depicts a different period in Christ's life. This side is the Nativity. The other side is the crucifixion and death of Jesus. But the styles are completely different.


You've really got to see it up close


This is the other side. A lot different looking.

We next made our way to the Museu Picasso museum. Picasso lived in Barcelona the early part of his life (before moving to Paris), and this museum houses a lot of his early works. I like to say his pre-drug period. He was actually a very talented classically trained artist, and you can see he did many great works of art before going into his famous Cubist movement. It was interesting. I'm not the biggest fan of his work, although I do like Guenerica (although that wasn't there) and this painting below, which my parents had a print of (you couldn't take pictures inside the museum at all).


Picasso wasn't really my mom or my thing, but we did enjoy the trip to the museum. We then walked around the area and made it over to the Gothic Cathedral La Seu. It's built over the chapel of a previous cathedral (which St. Peter's in the Vatican is as well). It was very different architecturally from what I had seen previously, which made it interesting, as by that time we had all seen so many cathedrals who would think there would be one that would pique our interest.


The pictures of course don't do it justice. There is a court of geese inside the cathedral grounds which is interesting and this area for the choir which is very different. Very unique and I would like more time to study it sometime.


I forget what this place was, but it was just along the street as we made our way from the Cathedral to our bus.

Our tour finally came to and end. We got to see a lot in the afternoon and evening we were in Barcelona. That night we went to a few last night performances, saw the Kristen Lee Trio one more time, but there were a lot of people who were gone. Since we were overnight in Barcelona, there were plenty of people either checking out the night life, or going to bed early, as we all had to be up early to catch our flights and other connections. I think a lot of the crew had the night off and were going out to enjoy the town. As they were most of the young people aboard, I really wanted to join them, but instead I went around saying goodbye to the ship, and finally went to bed, ready for the next morning and our trip back home.

One more post to come about the trip.

Day 13: Viva la France

Our second to last stop was in Toulon, France. Toulon houses a major naval base and is in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, which is a beautiful stretch of land also known as the French Riviera. Tuolon itself isn't know to be exceptionally beautiful, but more as a port for some of the other beautiful places around there. This is the area known for it's beautiful beaches and beautiful weather.

Of course, being the beginning of December, it wasn't exactly swimming season. Still, it was very beautiful. The area includes Nice (pronounced like niece), which we visited from the train from Monaco the previous day. It also includes Cannes, famous for their film festival. I defninitely need to check this place out sometime again, perhaps if I ever get a chance to tour all of France (I would really like to go to Paris at some point).


Our ship moored in Tuolon


While going through the various excursions on out TV, we decided we'd check out Marseille, the second largest city in France. Some of the other places would be really nice to visit in more sunny weather. This is a view of the mountains from our bus. It reminds me of Provo.


This is Cheateau_d'If, famous in literature for being one of the settings for the Count of Monte Cristo (although in the Jim Caviezel movie, they use a fortress in Malta (YAY MALTA!) as Cheateau d'If). It's also incorrectly identified as where the Man in the Iron Mask was kept. It was once a fortress, then became a prison (sound familiar, Bay Area friends?). We didn't have time to visit it, but it's another site I'd like to visit some day. I always think of cruises as a way to quickly visit a lot of places and then determine where you'd like to spend a lot more time exploring some day.

Interesting random fact: Marseille is known for hip hop music in France. Interesting.


Notre-Dame de la Garde is a basillica with Mary and baby Jesus standing overhead, much like Moroni over our temples, and is on the highest point in Marseille. It can be seen miles away at sea. It's decorated inside with a lot of murals and paintings and articles from ships.


The view from the basillica. You can see all of Marseille from here.


We then went into the city. These Christmas shops were set up everywhere in Marseille and Barcelona. Most of them had little dolls that are evidently very big around there. They are used in kind of Christmas villages.


I can't recall what this building is named.




After our trip to Mareseille, we had plenty of time before our ship left, so Mom and I took a little tourist train around Tuolon. While we had been told Tuolon wasn't as beautiful as other areas of the Provence region, I have to say it was pretty enough for me! Just look at this coast line, right by a beautiful park with kids playing. I could live there.


Around the marina was a lot of shopping. We walked around and saw some of the shops around there and Mom bought me a hat at a discount store there. But I just love this picture of the marina.

Then we were off, our last night at sea. Not the last night of our cruise, but the last night actually at sea.

We had an officer/cruise passenger dance, where we could dance with one of the officers. I just planned on going to see it, but one of the activities staff asked me to join in, as they needed more people. Mom was supposed to come, but evidently was so tired she fell asleep.

They called us all up to get partners, and I let the other people choose first. And my little cruise-crush, Kevin, the activities director, was still available, so I went to him. I didn't want to just rush up to him. So, we were in the third group of dancers, and the cruise director, John, thought we did the best, but the audience chose another couple from our group. John later joked that he thought it was an age thing, as Kevin and my average age was FAR below everyone elses. Still, it was fun to do a waltz, cha cha, and .... I forgot the other dance, with Kevin. He was always friendly before, but after that always made sure to say, "Hello Kirsten" when he saw me. Ahh, sigh.

Then later that night I watched the comedian/magician's show. When walking around the audience to pick on somebody, he picked me. He blindfolded me, had me go to the stage, and tell him what I thought different items were. One was an orange, another a big card that he had already used, and finally.... my watch. He had lifted it off of me (made me realize just how sneaky pickpockets could be). Then he asked someone if they had a hundred dollar bill, and when someone raised their hand, he asked me to go get it (by this time I didn't have the blindfold on anymore). I went and got it and he said, wow, usually when that happened, nobody had one and he'd end up with a $20. He had me write my name on it really big, so I did. My name was on the whole bill. He then did his trick and it ended up that the bill was in the orange. I'm sure he put it in there as he was slicing the orange or something, but it was still cool. And my name was on there nice and large. He asked me to return the bill to the man (with a towel), and acted surprised when I didn't run off with it. I really thought they'd give him a new hundred dollar bill, but he left with that orange stainded, Kirsten branded bill. I'm sure they took it somewhere.

Then Mom and I went to the lounge to hear the Kristen Lee Trio perform another time. It was fun, and the last night that the whole activities staff was out there (I think they gave them the night off in Barcelona). All in all a fantastic day and night. A lot of fun!

Day 12: Luck Be a Lady (in Monaco!)

My postcard shot, taken by me.


Our next stop was Monaco. It is the second smallest independent municipality in the world, second to the Vatican. So I've been to the two smallest 'countries' in the world. Much of Europe used to consist of these independent municipalities, before Italy and France were united. Monaco was able to stay independent. It is by the Italian border, but it is entirely engulfed by France.


So many yachts. And BIG yachts!




We went to check out old Monaco, where the palace is, first. We thought at first everything was closed, because there's a mid level that was all closed that day(elevators and escalators so nobody has to strain to visit Monaco). We finally realized we needed to keep going up. Our first stop was the gift shop of the Ocean Museum, which is world famous and evidently a very good museum. We didn't have time to go, but I wouldn't mind going again sometime.


Nobody that works in Monaco lives there. They don't make enough. To live in Monaco you have to make a minimum amount of money. Don't worry, you don't make enough. All the workers live in France. So it's interesting, the two smallest countries have the strictest population controls. In the Vatican, children of Vatican citizens only have a temporary passport, and are given dual Italian membership. Once they turn 18, it's goodbye Vatican citizenship.


We made it in time to watch the changing of the guard. It was fun. Not as elaborate as Englands, but still very good.




This is the cathedral where Grace Kelly married Prince Phillip and became Princess Grace. There were pictures of her everywhere.


Beautiful cliffs. There was also a great spot to go swimming. I'd love to come there in warmer weather!




We made a quick trip to Nice, France. It was late enough we didn't have time to go visit the famous crescent beach, but it was fun to take the train and visit a new stop. And my first entry into France. This is a photo from Nice.


And we made it back and went to Monte Carlo, the section of Monaco that includes the Casino. This is the big hotel that all the big wigs stay at when they visit.


And here's the world famous Monte Carlo casino. Because you had to pay to enter, I had no desire to enter. And although they loosen up the dress requirements earlier in the day, by the time we got there I doubt we'd be able to get in anyway.

Historically, Monaco, which at one time had been a wealthy country, their fortunes changed, and to try to keep from becoming bankrupt, they introduced gambling. It's worked VERY well for them.

I'm definitely glad I got to see Monaco. It was a lot of fun and a beautiful place. I hope to go back someday soon.