Vacation Paradise

My favorite place to visit is Cabo San Lucas, California Baja Sur, in Mexico. For those of you who have never been, or are not sure where it is located, I have attached maps of North America (Los Cabos, or “The Caves” in English) and Cabo San Lucas itself.




At the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, it is more like the closest place to heaven on Earth. The weather is the same 365 days a year: Mid 80’s to 90’s and based tourism information, only 10 days of rain!

Dion and I chose Cabo as our annual getaway. A break from school, work and children (just kidding about the last one). At first we stayed for about a week, but as we fell in love with the sand, surf and sunshine, we have extended our stay to about 10 days. You can't beat it, you get the best of both worlds.

On one side, it is the most relaxing, laid back vacation you can ever take, as there is little to do but relax if you chose. On the other, there is a lot of fun and excitement with a beautiful nightlife. This would explain why we couldn't resist and have timeshares at two resorts:

Plaza Las Glorias, which is centrally located at the marina and downtown by where all the “fun” is.



The other timeshare is away from all the busy area, more serene, and secluded, facing out to the Pacific Ocean, and is called Playa Grande (“Big Beach”).


We really love Playa Grande as it is a 5 star resort and very family friendly. We purchased new contruction that leads right to the Pacific Ocean.

To the left a beautiful view of El Arco (“The Arch”), one of Cabo’s most popular sites that is right at the tip of Mexico where the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean join.



Cabo is known for more than just its beautiful scenery. It has something for everyone. We went swimming with dolphins (the water was COLD), at Cabo Dolphins, which is located right at the marina and very popular. So much that you have to make a reservation about 3 days in advance to one of the scheduled times they have shows. At first I was a little apprehensive to get in the water with them, but once in, you can see that they are very happy to have you there! They eat lots of treats for doing flips!

In 2008 Dion and I, much to my better decision making, rode a 4 wheel ATV along the Pacific Ocean. The scenery was beautiful, the ride was fun but I had to trust him with the hair pin turns down the mountains to get to the beach. We were fine but I put a death grip on his shoulders and waist and the tour guides were laughing at the lock I had on him.

We took a trip about 45 miles north of Cabo to Todos Santos, which is known as a dusty little village of avant garde arts and crafts. There were lots of artists from the United States that came down to live in Todos Santos, and their artwork reflected much of the Mexican culture. In Todos Santos, an attraction that draws a lot of people is the Hotel California, which urban legend has created the myth as the place where the famous rock band The Eagles stayed while they wrote the Grammy winning song and album by the same name of the hotel. The roads from Cabo to Todos Santos, however, are narrow and tight, so I suggest you leave the driving to one of the local bus tours or make sure you leave before sundown!

Dion and I also love to eat and sample the local flavor. Our favorite place for breakfast, right along the marina, is Baja Cantina. Regardless of what you order, they give you fresh fruit on your plate. We have become friends with the server, Oscar, who likes to guess what we will order each morning.

Dion's favorite place is a local bar that is under a stairwell that serves the best steak soft shell tacos and margaritas: Tanga Tanga. Right next to Tanga Tanga is a fantastic sushi restaurant, frequented by many of the celebrities that visit Cabo, Nik-San. As the economy has taken a down turn, we noticed it was much easier to get a reservation, although it was still crowded, the wait times without a reservation were within reason. I highly suggest both places to get a flavor of what Cabo is all about as far as food!

Well, my final topic is nightlife. There is plenty of it in Cabo, and you don’t have to go far to find the pulsating music. You can start out by being hung upside down like a fish at the Giggling Marlin, head a couple of hundred feet and swing into Cabo Wabo, which is owned by the famous rock star Sammy Hagar, who has been known to show up and play a few gigs there. Follow the stream of people along the Boulevard Marina to head to El Squid Roe, which is THE PLACE, and does not close until 5 am. It has three levels, an open air roof, and bleachers and balconies on the top floor to check out all the party people. You will surely come out of there a different person!

I hoped you enjoyed my description of Cabo and I wanted to share my little spot of paradise with you all.

Hasta Luego!

A brief personal message of appreciation to my "PROF" / mentor: A true impact in life now and forever"

"Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it." ~ John Hersey

When I came across this quote, instantly I thought of the man who taught me just what this quote means.

I would like to extend my appreciation to my professor (of not one course, but two at Penn State) for all the knowledge, time and encouragement he has given me. Through his teaching, guidance and most importantly his availability for his students, he has given me so much more depth and appreciation for journalism and books (to my book obsessive surprise).

He also took the time to encourage me outside the classroom with regards to challenging myself. Not only in my reading (choices/understanding and interpretation), but as well as in my writing. The challenge he gave me was to gain a deeper perspective and see something I would not have in the past. As a result of his inspiration, I continue to move forward in writing in my journal.

In my 40 years, I have never had a teacher or professor have such an impact on me. He's also given me the confidence to continue to succeed in my classes, work and life in general. My horizon has been broadened by him.

Thank you Prof. Berner!

What I have learned, I will carry on for a lifetime as well as pass it on to my children.

If anyone gets the opportunity to take one of his courses, I would suggest to jump on it! You should also check out and follow his blog! "The Spectator"

Newspapers: Following the Typewriter into Extinction

The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times have downsized. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer goes on-line only, eliminating its paper edition entirely. The Tuscan Citizen (the oldest continuously published newspaper in Arizona) and the Rocky Mountain Times shut down. The Detroit News/Free Press cuts back on deliveries and many others (Seattle Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, etc.) are close to bankruptcy. Where does all this leave the population of readers who prefer to hold a newspaper in their hands, sipping a cup of coffee or using it to hide behind the crush of morning rush hour madness on a subway? More importantly, where does this leave the journalists, reporters and editors of today and in the future? Hardcopy newspapers are too important to follow the typewriter into extinction.

Although the online versions may be filled with the most recent news, and allow for quick and easy access from anywhere in the world, we must question how accurate the news may be. As mentioned in “The Call to Write”, “Web sites do not necessarily go through a process of editing and peer review that filters out unreliable and unsubstantiated information. Instead, what appears on the Web is largely unregulated and sometimes of questionable credibility.” With that being said, online journalism is not reliable.

However, you do have those papers like the New York Times that transfers the news from paper to online, but readers would miss out on the same experiences that the print version gives you. Some experiences missed would be the ability to skim around to see what may interest them, the crinkling sound when turning a page, and of course, the opportunity as a conversation starter. I, like many people, wake up each morning, put on my slippers and walk down my driveway to pick up the morning paper. With much anticipation I excitedly await what news I have missed since the day before and what headlines will attract my interest. Frequently, my interest turns to the Business section of the paper (e.g., will Chrysler be bought out by Fiat?). Before I can get into my house I have the paper in my hands and scan the headlines as I walk back up, completely immersed in my own world of news. If you’re reading the online version, the only way to scan for interesting news is if you know exactly what you are looking for. Plus, it is easier to walk around with a newspaper than a laptop in your hands!

This trend of moving print version newspapers to online that we are currently seeing could ultimately lead to a large number of lost jobs. More than half of the journalists, editors, photographers, and the entire printing press would end up on the unemployment line. With unemployment being at its highest in history, the downfall of the printed newspaper is a necessity we shouldn’t be so willing to dismiss. Research clearly establishes that the trend for on line revenues has increased when compared to print, but not dramatically enough to eliminate printing newspapers completely.


One can also argue that the on-line version is more appealing to the newer generation; there has not been enough proof to that statement. In my own research, I have discovered that many young and old alike, think the paper needs to be in print form. The Public Press recently interviewed two people from completely different generations pertaining to just that; the possible downfall of the printed newspapers vs. the online version. An elderly woman was quoted as saying: “Newspapers have a ‘more profound effect when written.” “…print gives you ‘more time to read and think.’" Further in the same article, a young man was quoted saying, “I like the idea of a newspaper in my hand,” The young man also claimed that he reads three different newspapers daily, “mostly in print.”

On a final note, there are more reasons for the salvation of the printed newspaper than to allow its extinction like the typewriter. For a brief moment think about the typewriter, while you read this statement I came across. Journalist Indigo Clarke wrote “Fading into near obscurity, the typewriter today serves as a relic to most, though there are still the dedicated few that believe it can offer something the computer can’t. Finding character and inspiration in this outdated invention, a number of writers, including Paul Auster, David Sedaris and Don DeLillo, reject the convenience of a computer laptop in favour of its antiquated counterpart. Paul Auster’s infatuation with his manual Olympia typewriter inspired his laconic.” I was surprised and happy to read the reference to Mr. Auster, one of my favorite authors, and how he continues his journalistic journey on the forgotten dinosaur of the typewriter. If it does not get the proper financial and readership support, will the newspaper end up in a similar situation as the typewriter? I, like Mr. Auster sticking with his Olympia, will not be giving up reading my daily printed newspapers.

Rest in Peace Mr. Charles Seliger

Untitled Art by Mr. Charles Seliger

R.I.P Mr. Charles Seliger. A well respected, famous artist, who was compared to Jackson Pollock and William de Kooning. He lived a simple, unassuming life in Westchester, NY. Those who are unfamiliar with him, please take a moment to read his obit and check out his beautiful art as well. There will also be a memorial exhibit of his work in the near future at MRG in NYC (57th Street).

One of many: Untitled work of art by Mr. Charles Seliger. (R)

Memorial Exhibition at MRG January 9-February 27, 2010. In the meantime, check out the gallery website to view some of Mr. Seliger's work. Don't let his creative beauty go with him.

Michael Rosenfeld Gallery
24 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
http://www.michaelrosenfeldart.com/

The Gallery will also have many other exhibits, that are quite breathtaking.

If you are one of the many people who appreciate art and its beauty, or just someone who is starting to develop an interest, this is a wonderful gallery to support. Their mission statement alone expresses the gallery's true passion for art:
"core mission is two-fold: to promote important movements within the history of art in the United States while also increasing the visibility of under-recognized American artists."

Glad To Be Back

A quick note to say thank you to my followers for your support. I apologize that it has been a while. I made the mistake of taking on four courses during summer semester, which left me with no time to blog. (I did love ALL my classes though)

I hope you enjoy my new blog below and my future blogs to come.

I also look forward to catching up on the blogs I follow as well.

An E-Mail That Changed My Life

{Me and Dion}
You may be asking yourself, how can an e-mail change one’s life? In order for me to tell you about this particular call to write, I would need to back up a little.

One cold winter night a group of friends and I got together to go to a professional hockey game. We were going to see my favorite team, the New York Rangers, at the world famous arena, Madison Square Garden. It was originally to be a boy’s night out, but a couple of the guys had cancelled at the last minute. I got a “B-List” offer to go to the game with my other female friend, Elze. I originally declined the offer and was fairly adamant in my response stating “I am nobody’s second choice.” My stubbornness and pride almost got in the way.

However, after much discussion, pleading and borderline begging, Elze managed to convince me to go. I still had a sense that I was compromising my standards, as I was not originally invited. The tickets were cheap and we would be in the third row from the back of the arena. This was beyond nosebleed and above the lights. To be honest, I am deeply afraid of heights. The crowd is also known to be extremely rowdy, yet entertaining, if the game got out of hand. It was the middle of the week, and I know that it would be a late night with this party crew of people.

All signs indicated I should have said “No.” But this was the New York Rangers!

This outing took a different turn than I expected. One of my male friends, Earl, had met up with a childhood buddy of his. Rather than paying attention to what was going on during the game (lots of scoring and fights!), Earl and his friend were hanging out at the back of the arena with a bunch of high school buddies, unbeknownst to me. That is, until Elze and I went up to the concession stand to grab a drink. As we headed up the aisle, I was stopped by Earl and his group of friends. I had gotten the attention of his childhood friend, Dion, who was dressed in a suit, white shirt and tie. Not my typical type of guy, but we started conversation. My first comment to him was “Are you a lawyer? Because you look like a lawyer.” After about a half hour of direct dialogue and ignoring all the others gathered in the group, we realized we had so much in common, laughed a lot, and he boldly asked me if I was seeing anyone. I coyly said “Not really.” He called me out on it by saying “Not really? What exactly does that mean?” He chuckled and then asked me if I would like to go out on a date. I was thinking “Sure, I guess he is nice enough and not as stuffy as he looks in the suit. At the very least, I get a night out with some laughs and a good meal.”

For about two weeks after we met on that fateful January winter evening, we ended up going on a couple of other dates, always after work and for dinner. It was a safe way of ending an evening, by heading in our different directions. Then after the third or fourth date, we seemed to hit an impasse on the views of relationships. We did not talk for the next two weeks. All communication stopped. Not a call, email, or text message. I found that really strange as we had developed a very close bond in a very short time. I had started to miss him and the laughter we shared. Neither of us had tried to reach out to the other. He seemed to be as stubborn as I. So I thought, “What am I to do? I really can’t stop thinking about this guy.” The fact that Valentine’s Day was the following week did NOT help the situation, seeing all the displays of love around New York City. Come on, could I have gotten anymore signs thrown in my face?

I still debated on calling, but ultimately, I decided I did not have the courage to do that. So I went with a brief e-mail instead. “Hello Dion, just sending a quick note hoping all is well.” The moment he received this e-mail, he called! I was so giddy, trying to play it cool, but my heart was skipping a beat. We chatted a little and decided to get together for dinner.

At dinner, we realized that it was a miscommunication/misunderstanding between the both of us. He didn’t think I was interested in him as someone to be in a relationship with. He told me how much he liked me, and was attracted to me. But he feared that I did not have the same perspective and direction for our relationship. He felt I just wanted to be friends. We both were actually on the same wave length of thoughts.

One valuable lesson I learned and have been able to pass on to my girls is that you should never let fear or pride get in your way, especially in the name of love. Sometimes we need to swallow our pride, but swallowing your pride does not mean losing your dignity. Then I begin to share this story with them, so much so, that they tend to interrupt me and finish the story for me. We all laugh after, but the girls do take it all in and to heart. My girls who are of dating age have shared stories how my advice has been able to help them and their friends. This is very touching for a mother to hear, knowing that my girls do listen!

Dion and I have been together ever since the e-mail and I think of the “call to write” often; almost every day as a matter of fact. Dion is still here in my life to kiss good morning, goodbye and good night as my husband and best friend. We have an openness that allows us to always say what’s on our mind. If I try and let pride and my stubbornness win over my emotions, he is very quick to stop me in my tracks by calling me out on it. This helps avoid potential lost opportunities, like finding a great husband and best friend.

Sometimes a call to write is the easiest form of communication to overcome, that we, as humans, make mistakes and hurt feelings. We must remember there could be a call to write for you to reach out to someone you care about, miss or apologize for any past misunderstandings.
Remember my story and think about what a tremendous loss I would have had it were not for that one brief e-mail reaching out. Today, I can honestly say we are still inseparable and both feel like kids who are still dating. If I did not have the desire and initiative to make the effort to write him that e-mail, I would not be so happy with my five daughters and my ever loving husband, Dion.

our five girls. (L-R: Bottom: Kaitlin,Kyli and Debi, Top: Ali and Stina, )

"All that could have been missed if it wasn’t for that
e-mail!"

I've truly been blessed

My Art Interpretation of Beverly Buchanan's "Monroe County House with Yellow Datura"

Beverly Buchanan's "Monroe County House with Yellow Datura", a two-dimensional portrait for which the medium is oil pastel on paper. The materials used are paper, oil based paint, and the paintbrush, of course.

My interpretation of Ms. Buchanan's painting is a portrayal of a house as the main subject matter, with oversized Yellow Daturas as the secondary subject matter. The setting is in a yard or meadow full of flowers and plants. The painting is simple in its beauty and charm, as if painted by a child. My thoughts are that from a cultural narrative perspective, this house is somewhere in the Midwest or south and certainly in a rural area. Based on the title and further investigation into the picture, I learned that the painting is of a house in Georgia, and that Beverly Buchanan is far from a child, with an extensive curriculum vitae.

The visual qualities consist of a full bloom, late summer afternoon or early evening that depicts an open air setting. There is effective use of balance as the house is set in the middle of the painting with sharp, dark colors and objects, with clear lines and contours. I noticed the various colors (purple, red, brown and yellow) that a child would use to differentiate the various parts of the house.

Ms. Buchanan effectively uses linear perspective through the use of sharp, detailed lines to capture the main subject matter (the house). Through the use of convergence, I gained a sense of depth, particularly her painting of the lines on the roof of the house.

I noticed the use of value in the painting as the flowers in the foreground are bright, offsetting the multiple, dark colors of the house. I gained a sense atmospheric perspective in the house being sharp in its rendering while the flowers in the meadow are blurred. The meadow seems very much impressionistic with blended colors lacking clarity. It reminded me of Monet’s “Garden at Argenteuil.”

When I look at the Yellow Daturas, it almost appears as if Ms. Buchanan uses the illusion of foreshortening, as the flowers are much larger than their true scale. That is, the flowers are disproportionate to the rest of the painting. I never heard of Yellow Datura before, and my research disclosed that in all photos the flower is not as brilliant in color as portrayed in the painting. The flowers are very vivid with deep yellow hues and a richness of color and quickly gained my attention.

I believe this painting is to remind the viewer of their childhood memories based on the “child-like” artistic rendition. However, for myself, it brought me to a memory of a trip where my husband and I took our seven year old daughter to the south. We came upon a similar setting, both in style of home and landscaping. Our daughter had such a wonderful time frolicking through the meadow. The picture instantaneously brought a smile to my face of beautiful memories of a family trip I will never forget.