Miscellaneous Vacation Post

One of many beautiful spots at the resort

One of the restaurants, the Pallazzina.  We enjoyed all three of the restaurants: Pallazina, Bella Vista, and Casanova

View from one of the cliffs

Dunn's River Falls

On our last full day in Jamaica, Kevin and I did a day trip to Dunn's River Falls where we climbed the waterfall.  I didn't realize ahead of time how large a task that would be!  On many parts of the climb, we had to form a person chain to try to keep our balance. It was a beautiful excursion, and I was so proud when we made it to the top!

Person chain

A small part of the falls

Starlight Gala and Beach Party

The first evening we were in Jamaica, our resort had a beautiful Starlight Gala.  It was a formal, all-white dinner.

View from our room

On Tuesday, there was a fun beach party with great dancers and bands!

Snorkeling

We went snorkeling on our sixth day in Jamaica.  It never dawned on me that I would need to worry about motion sickness.  I grew up on a lake (a big difference from an ocean, but I figured they were close enough), and I've been on my parents' boat too many times and too many years to count, so I was all ready for snorkeling!

Ummm...I enjoyed about the first ten minutes.  The rest of the time was spent throwing up. :(   Thankfully, Kevin dutifully took great pictures!  There is even one of me in the water (prior to being sick, no worries) proving I did it, even if it was only for a few minutes!

A shipwreck

Close up of shipwreck

I did enjoy the time I wasn't sick, so Kevin and I do plan to do this again someday.  I will just remember to find motion sickness medication first. :)

The Beach

Kevin and I spent a good amount of time on the beautiful beach!  We bought Kindles before we left, and we both were able to read to our heart's content!

Couples Sans Souci

Kevin and I spent a week at Couples San Souci resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  We loved our resort!  Our room was gorgeous!

Our room was on the second floor, the second from the left.  We had an incredible view of the ocean, and we were right next door to one of the restaurants.

A towel creation we were greeted with when we checked into our room.

Bedroom

Looking into living room

Shower and vanity

Jacuzzi tub

My surrogate pet for the week.  I called him "Bird Bird." Apparently vacation doesn't make me very creative.  His cage was located right outside our room.

Going the distance

In the next month and a half, I will be breaking out the luggage several times:

October 21-23: Driving to Fort Worth, TX with Sarah to visit Mandy, Ben, Ellie, and Beckett! We can't wait to help out however we can!

November 8-11: My first solo business trip to Chicago for the CAEL conference!  I fly out on Tuesday morning and return on Friday evening.  I'm excited in the biggest, nerdiest way for this conference! Tinto and Sanford and Schlossberg, OH MY! :)

November 25-December 2: Yep, it's Jamaica time! Oh my goodness, I can not wait!

Officially Official

After over two years, I am completely, officially Deborah Reynolds!

I finally submitted my passport application this summer and got it in the mail today!  That was the last of any remaining maiden name business. 

It only needs an umbrella...

Am I torturing myself thinking already of our November vacation?  Likely.  Am I wasting calories on a vitamin beverage that makes me excited for said vacation? Absolutely.  Did I actually consider purchasing drink umbrellas when I bought said beverage?  Maybe... :)

Beach in a jar

I am fortunate (or unfortunate, depends on how you look at it) that my office is merely moments away from a Hallmark that is closing.  I am sad to see them go, but I am loving the 75% off savings!  My favorite purchase?

Beachwalk by Beanpod

I may not actually burn this candle because I love opening it and smelling the coconuty-sunblocky-sandy smell when I am needing motivation/relaxation. It may just make it harder (if that is possible) to wait for November's vacay!

Jamaica - here we come!

 Kevin and I are celebrating our five year (dating) anniversary November 25 - December 2 at Couples Sans Souci Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica!

Photo Credits: Couples Sans Souci Web site

I can almost smell the SPF 45 (that will be reapplied hourly!)

 

The Oceanfront Suite - the room where we are staying

Our resort is placed among the beach cliffs

This vacation was a long time coming - we first were going to go on a tropical vacation for our one year anniversary, but I had not been at the library long enough for vacation time. :(  We made the best of it by going to St. Louis for a week where Kevin had a conference.  We then thought we would go for our second anniversary, but we decided November made more sense (graduation time for me is insane at my job).  So, the reason we are going in November/December isn't because of our dating anniversary (as Kevin would like to point out), but I love an excuse to celebrate any anniversary!

I CAN NOT WAIT!