LT Clears Customs...H.S.H. for Her Too!

Well LT was quite relaxed after an entire month abroad, but was also a bit stressed out for what awaited her back home at her job. She was also not too excited about the 24 hour trip to get home, but she was excited to see how close she could get to see her plane from above while waiting at the Marco Polo International Airport in Venice...

She had to travel with 2 little giants who didn't let her get a lick of sleep and therefore gave her such enormous bags under her eyes she shunned all cameras for fear the way she looked might leave lasting nightmare impressions upon all her GG's and that just couldn't happen. Therefore she took a nice picture of the 2 little giants traveling with her as they enjoyed their comfy reclining seats in Envoy Class (what that means she still doesn't understand, but what it included was a lot more pampering than what she got in Economy on the way over there!) She's pretty sure she could get quite spoiled and used to traveling this way...

After literally 24 hours of traveling she was completely exhausted to the point that her 5 bags, LT's quite impressed that Shugga only had 4 bags, were definitely going to have to wait until the next day to be unpacked and to her word by 8:00PM the next day all those bags were unpacked and back in storage. Great job LT! Now she's ready to conquer the MAIL - Argh!

Much to her disappointment 1 month of mail was waiting for her to sort through when she arrived. Lucky for her someone was picking it up for her and she didn't have to make that trip to the Post Office. But wait LT is that a Netflix envelop stuck at the bottom? Oh she was excited that at least among all the bills and junk mail there was a new movie for her to watch while she sorted through the stack! Well despite all the work that still lay ahead of her, she was very happy to be home and looking forward to the next GNO with her GG's...

It was a white trash afternoon!

This afternoon, Cizzle and Dubba D took advantage of the long weekend and went bowling. Cizzle was quite prepared with her own special bowling shoes while Dubba D had to make do without shoes at all because there were no more rentals available.
While bowling their first frame, Cizzle (who was a professional bowler in a previous life) "accidentally" tripped Dubba D so she would get a much lower score.

Dubba D wasn't too disappointed, she just sat it out and watched Cizzle bowl from afar.

On their way out, the shiny call of the bowling trophies beaconed out to them from behind the glass.

Before they could make it out the door however,Dubba D stopped for a snack. Yikes! She barely escaped the giant snack machine, desperate times call for desperate measures Dubba! Be more careful next time!

Night of Eating and Shopping.

Cizzle and Dubba D went out to dinner the other night with their good friend Kare Bare. They ate at a swanky place called Lot 81 and just couldn't resist the orange wall for a photo shoot.

Before they left, Dubba D went to use the restroom and became enamored with the lovely sink basin. It looked like a great place for a quick dip, and she just happened to have her bathing suit on under her shift!

But lo and behold, there were other plans. Plans for shopping at Anthropology. They closed the store that night.

On their way back to the car, they got a little distracted by the gorgeous window display at Pottery Barn. Brought back many memories for Cizzle!

Home Sweet Home

Yesterday was a very long day indeed, but Shugga made it home safe and sound. There was a lot of waiting, waiting to take off, waiting to pull in, waiting for luggage, but all in all it was a good flight home. Home. Ah, sweet home. Shugga collapsed in bed after midnight, local time. Oh how nice it was to be back in her soft comfy bed. She slept like a rock until just after seven when she was woken up. Must have been a dog barking or sprinklers coming on. She forced herself out of bed determined to adjust to the time change.

She was greeted by four suitcases just waiting to be emptied. Ugh. Four suitcases Shugga! What did you bring with you? Next time she will keep it down to two, three max. She spent most of the morning unpacking while eyeing her soft bed longingly. Keep going Shugga you're doing good. Hey Shugga, you takin' a little break? Oh, what have you got there?
Shugga decided she needed a little morning pick me up. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Shugga's favorite. That's okay Shugga you deserve it. But can I have one too?

Day 13: Saying Goodbye

Well, today is it. Shugga's last day in Hawaii. All her bags are packed, she's ready to go... Oh Hawaii, how she will miss you. Goodbye Hale Pohaku, house of stones. Shugga will miss your gorgeous views and comforting rooms.
Oh how she'll miss your beautiful beach, her beach, and the ragged surrounding mountains.
And the sand. Miles and miles of warm sand.
And she will definitely long for the warm, clear blue waters teeming with fish and sea creatures. The sea turtles Shugga. I know you will never forget them.
The hot sun, cool breezes, sudden showers, emerging rainbows and the food. So much good food. What a trip Shugga! What a trip. She will treasure all these memories until she can return again. Aloha, Shugga. Aloha!

Grissocia opened her bible this morning and the Lord tok her to Psalm 91!! She thought she'd share:
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because she loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.
15 She will call upon me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble,
I will deliver her and honor her.
16 With long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation."

Day 12

Today was a mix of emotions for Shugga. She woke up feeling a little sad, it being her last day in Hawaii. And yet a little excited, to be going home and all. And a little more excited about her 'date' tonight. She decided to work on her tan a little bit so she would look good in her grass skirt and coconuts. She headed down to her beach and stretched out on the warm sand. The hot sun, light wind and crash of waves lulled her to sleep. Suddenly she was startled awake by little rascally laughing voices to find that she had been covered with sand while she slumbered. Turns out it was a good thing as she would have probably burned and that would not do with the outfit she was planning on donning tonight.

Shugga had a great time at Keola's luau. There was good music (Keola plays a mean ukulele), good food and good company.
Keola even serenaded Shugga with a Hawaiian song. Aw Shugga, are you blushing?
The food was quite interesting. Lau lau, poke, lomi lomi salmon and kim chee.
And don't forget the poi Shugga. That was definitely an interesting experience.

But what Shugga enjoyed the most was dessert. Malasadas. You lucky girl Shugga!What an evening Shugga had. And what a great end to a great vacation. She was sad to have to say goodbye to Keola after only just meeting him, but they promised to write. He even gave her a kiss on the cheek goodnight. Now you are definitely blushing Shugga. I think Shugga will be having some sweet dreams tonight and not just about eating malasadas.

LT on Retreat in Italy - Chapter 10

As this was LT's last day in Desenzano she didn't know what to do, how could a whole month have gone by that fast, please say it isn't so!!!  Unfortunately it was true and she pondered about what she had done all that time, because her short term memory was fading fast, and what she wanted to do as her last event here...Then she saw a sign: The Montecorno Grill...

She had never seen a direction sign like that before, they tell you exactly how to get there. Usually you only get to know if it's right, left or straight, but this sign tells you to go straight, pass a round about and then go slightly to the right!  

She'd heard of this place but never thought she'd be able to find it because Agritourismo Restaurants are usually in remote locations that only the "locals" can find, but since she'd been here 1 month she must now be somewhat of a "local"!

She walked and walked and couldn't believe it but she was lost again.  That sign was a crock. She followed it exactly and then poof**, nothing!  Just like the Italians to give exact directions, it was probably more of a "suggestion" on how to get there.  She was so hungry she was considering going fishing herself as that would be like Agritourismo, which includes only local, fresh ingredients, and what could be more fresh than your own fish? or it looks like there's also a duck?

No she was bound and determined to find this place as it was her last day here.  So she asked for more "Italian" directions and eventually found it, but it was actually straight, pass round about #1, go slightly to the right, up a steep hill, slightly to the left, pass round about #2, go slightly to the left again, pass round about #3, go slightly to the right past construction zone, then turn slightly to the left again and up another steep hill to the end of the road.  Those were the final directions to get there and oh how she was amazed she actually found this place, but it was so worth it in the end.  The view...and the food were exactly what she needed to end a perfectly relaxing trip to Italy, and probably better than any fish she could catch considering LT doesn't know how to cook!!!

Arrivederci Desenzano!

Ho' Down~

There she was, the hoochie blondie all of CHihuahua was talking about.............Hm............Grissocia had heard about her. They said she was BAD to the bone.......and oh my! She was wearing her cowboy boots!! How did she get Grissocia's new cowboy boots for the 09 Gala!! Something HAD to be done!! It's a good thing Grissocia new some Federales in Chihuahua who would 'hook her up' w/the right tools~
THAT'S RIGHT BLONDIE!! Fork them over!! Give me back my 09 Gala Boots!!
You better hurry before the REAL GHETTO in me gets out!!! That's right, set them down and BEAT IT!!
Man! All that adrenaline made me hungry~ I'm just going to sit here with MY boots and eat some huevos rancheros with bacon. I tell ya' DONT mess w/ the Mexican Lady...........

Day 11: Ko Olina

Having spent all her time on the windward side of the island, Shugga decided to see what the leeward side of Oahu had to offer. What a surprise another beautiful beach. Although no lifeguard on duty here. Too bad for you Shugga. No rescues for you today. That's okay, Shugga felt like working on her tan today.

That is until she looked out over the ocean and saw this:
Quick Shugga, quick! Get your floaty. Luckily she also had her snorkeling gear with her. She ran across that beach like a bat out of hell. She fell over a couple of times getting on her fins. She was shaking with excitement. Deep breath Shugga. Breathe. Seeing a sea turtle is one thing, but she never dreamt she would actually be able to swim with one.

She swam as fast as she could to the spot she saw that head poke out. And then right before her eyes a sea turtle appeared. Gracefully it swam around below her and Shugga watched with awe. It was simply amazing. And to top it off she saw another one. What a day, what a day Shugga.
Shugga had another surprise waiting for her at the beach house. The lifeguard she met at Kailua beach, his name Keola she finally learned, called and invited her to his house tomorrow for a luau. She can hardly wait and knows just what she is going to wear. Breathe Shugga. Just breathe.

LT on Retreat in Italy - Chapter 9

oday LT took a wonderful boat ride to an old Italian village on Lake Garda called, Sirmione.  There she discovered this most wonderful castle and just had to see the inside...

She discovered the center of the village where modern day life was moving along but continued to look for the entrance to the castle, oh how she longed to be a princess waiting for her prince to come sweep her off her feet, oh wait a minute that was a different era...

She found the entrance straight ahead and didn't waste a moment paying to see this amazing 13th Century Castle in all its glory.  She went across the drawbridge and over the moat, yes there's a moat, to enter 13th Century Princess Land...

Once inside though she was very confused by what she witnessed...

There were these poor little giants shackled to the wall like common criminals...

The enslaved peasants who probably had to clean each stone with a toothbrush just for a piece of day old bread.  She continued on despite this sad state of current affairs and got lost.  She ended up in the dungeon and didn't know how that could have happened, but the view was nice....

So she turned around only to find a different view from that dreaded dungeon.  

What is a girl to do, especially since no prince was going to come and save her...but wait that's the view of the modern day village, HELP!  She screamed get me out of here, I don't belong in the dungeon I'm a princess, I swear I am!  

When she thought all was lost in walked a cute Italian guide to let her know it was time for her to leave because all the other visitors had been waiting to see that view and she had kept it hostage long enough, oh well so maybe she wasn't in the dungeon, and she wasn't actually a princess, but it did have a nice ending... The all lived happily ever after to catch the next boat out of there!

Day 10:Kailua Beach

Shugga heard there were sea turtles to been seen at Kailua Beach, just a short ride from the beach house. She didn't have to think twice about packing up and heading out to Kailua for some turtle watching. Shugga really, really wants to see a sea turtle.

The beach was absolutely beautiful. Is there a beach here not? Doesn't seem to be.

Shugga settled herself on the shore and gazed out over the unbelievably blue waters. She watched and watched and watched. Her face a picture of determination. She was going to see her sea turtle gosh darn it! Wait, wait... what's that? Look Shugga, look! Could that be? It's round and tannish... and that's a head! That was definitely a head poking up. And there are it's flippers. Oh Shugga, there's your sea turtle.Shugga was so excited. And it was so close. So close she could almost swim out it to. She grabbed her inner tube and decided to give it a try. She swam and swam, but the turtle had disappeared beneath the clear blue waters. Oh well, it was worth a try. As Shugga turned back to shore she noticed she had swam quite far off shore. It's okay Shugga, don't panic someone is coming to rescue you. Luckily for Shugga a very nice, and nice looking too, lifeguard had swam out to give her a hand.

She thanked the lifeguard for his help and he asked her for her number. Oh Shugga, are you blushing? She was surprised, but quickly blurted out her number. She couldn't decide what was better luck the sea turtle or the lifeguard.

She invited the lifeguard to have lunch with her, but he had to decline since he was on duty. So she said goodbye and he promised to give her a call. She bounded back to her stuff and pulled out a manapua to snack on. Bad idea Shugga. Very bad idea.Nobody warned her about the birds. Watch out Shugga! Those birds are vicious.

Shugga are you alright? She got pecked a little bit, but managed to hold on to her manapua. Way to put up a fight Shugga!

Even despite the bird incident, Shugga was glad she came. She did see a sea turtle. And maybe, just maybe she will get a special call.