Playa del Carmen update

Wow!  My blog has suffered during this busy time around the holidays. My next post will be about my delicious Thanksgiving dinner that I prepared and hosted in our home. But let me first catch you up on our travels to Playa del Carmen.

In an earlier post, I commented on our travels in Playa del Carmen.  Jade and I flew there two weeks ago to look for a house to rent, and for a little R and R!  We stayed at Xperience Hotel for three days, then really spoiled ourselves by staying in an all inclusive resort called, Royal Hideaway in Playacar.  It was such a great vacay, and totally gluttonous!  For 4 days and 3 nights we stuffed our bellies with delicious food and yummy drinks.  We indulged in desserts and sunshine, and we swam in the crystal clear ocean waters.  We did have some errands to do, but mostly we relaxed and spent some quality time together.  

 The beautiful waters of Playa del Carmen.  I love the beach!  It sure beat the 40 mph winds and 20 degree nights of Kansas.  Ugh!

My attempt at being somewhat artistic with a sandals in the sand picture.  BTW... I found these babies on sale at Nordstroms for $30!

 The hubs and I enjoying some beach time.

 Jader's delicious tuna sashimi shaped like a rose. 

 A night on the beach after dinner enjoying some drinks and alone time. 

 This crazy looking animal is about 15 lbs and looks like a rat and a squirrel, but bigger.  I guess they are pretty common in Mexico.  Anyone know what these are called?

 My love for martinis led me to not one of these babies, but a several. Let's just say, I was a feeling a little under the weather one morning.   And Jade enjoyed the chocolate martini below!  Yum!

 Our beautiful room at Royal Hideaway in Playacar.  I loved this place.  I would definitely recommend staying here.  The food was good, the service was great, and the amenities were fabulous!

 Our view every morning for breakfast.

 Can you tell who was behind the camera most of the time? 

 Awww.... Paradise!

So, who's coming to visit me when we move in January?  We found a two bedroom house close to the beach, shopping, restaurants, and Wal-mart! 

Our first days in Playa

Yesterday I finally arrived in Playa del Carmen after 12 hours of traveling.  It was a long day, but we found our hotel and walked around the city with no problems.  We are staying at Xperience Hotel right off 5th Avenue because we wanted to get a great feel of the city, but not be too far from the beach.  Plus, we got a great deal on Xpedia.

5th Avenue here is awesome.  There are dozens of restaurants and shops, along with at least 4 Starbucks.  I'm in LOVE! 

Today, we had a delicious breakfast at our hotel and then headed to the beach.  We spent about 4 hours on the beach, and I.AM.BURNT! 

I'm usually really good about wearing sunscreen, and I did have SPF 65 on, but the sun is serious down here.  I think I'll be wearing a nice loose dress tomorrow!  We also looked at 4 different houses for rent today.  We found one that was really nice.  It was 2 bedrooms and 2 baths with an upper deck pool and grill.  The "ocean view" left a lot to be desired, but 4 blocks from the beach isn't too bad.  Basically, if this is what I get to do everyday, I can learn to live without a lot!

What is something that is necessary when looking for a place to live?

Weekend Update

I mentioned in my last post that I was heading to my Alma Mater, Kansas State University, for yesterday's football game against Texas A&M. It was a great trip, and the game wasn't bad either, although, the second half and the 4 OT's got a little cold.  Can't wait to be in Me-hico where the weather is warm and the sun is shining. 

Tailgating at KSU is almost like being on a different planet.  I live in a town 80 miles from Manhattan, but they are like two different worlds.  I'm a farmer's daughter and a country girl at heart, but this is a little redneck!  Check out the mirror ball attached to the crane in a sheep field where we were tailgating. 

We even teach our kids to show their plumber's cracks at a young age.  Ain't it cute though?

I'm off to Mexico early in the morning. I can't wait to see the hubby.  It's been only a few days, but I miss him.  Look at what he sent me this morning. He's so sweet. 

I hope to be able to blog while I'm gone if I can find a wifi connection.  Adios chicos!

Ahh... College

Tonight I'm off to my best friend, Amanda's house.  We are headed to Aggieville, or The Ville if you are a cool kid like me.  I spent a lot of my college days here.  And by a lot I mean more than studying and in class.  In the words of Rick Perry, "oops!"

I had a blast in college.  Just look below at some of these amazing ladies and the fun times we had.

Ugh, I can already feel my hangover coming on.

Tomorrow it's off to another KSU football game.  Go Cats!

My Pursuit of Peace and Happiness.

With the large changes my family and I have gone through this last year, I often wonder what truly makes us happy.

1.  Money:

An article by Time magazine says, "People say money doesn't buy happiness. Except, according to a new study from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, it sort of does — up to about $75,000 a year. The lower a person's annual income falls below that benchmark, the unhappier he or she feels. But no matter how much more than $75,000 people make, they don't report any greater degree of happiness."

2.  Family: 

My family right now is pretty amazing.  I don't have kiddos, but my pups bring joy to my life daily.  Friends who have started families say there is no greater happiness than the birth of their children.  I'm jealous of the unconditional love they have for their children.  I hope I can feel that someday. I said Someday!

Who wouldn't want kids if this is what they looked like and how they acted?

3.  Sex:

I just read an article published on The Nest that says sex can make you feel happier.  The authors go into pretty explicit detail, so I'll let you read the article yourself to find out why sex can make you happier, feel richer and sleep better.  I sent this article to my husband because I knew he would love reason number 7!  Girls, I know your are curious! :)

What were we talking about?... oh yeah, true happiness.

4.  Knowledge or experience:

A long time ago, I must have known having as many experiences and gaining knowlege was what is going to make me truly happy.  In high school, I was in love with a very nice guy.  We dated 4 years.  I broke things off my sophomore year of college for really no good reason.  Looking back, I knew that if I didn't, I would be living in my home town for the rest of my life.  I knew I wanted to experience something else.  I've since received 2 Bachelor's degrees, 1 Master's, a moderate understaning and knowledge of Spanish, and a whole lotta life experience.  But I was scared to leave everything I knew.  I'm scared now to go to Mexico again without my friends and family.  I know that if I completely surrender and give this opportunity a fair chance, it could lead to some pretty amazing things.

 When I'm looking for peace and happiness, I read.  It is my escape from reality for awhile.  Recently, I came across a few quotes.   They are random, but I didn't say I was reading anything educational. 

"In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you." - Eat Pray Love


"Let go of all you fear to lose"- author unknown.  Do you think this would make a great tattoo?

"We better start saving up for the things money can't buy"- Bruce Springsteen

What makes you happy and brings joy to your lives?  Readers with kiddos or pets, I want to see pictures.  Here are my babes.