A Chocolate Lover's Dream

I hope you've all ventured to Hershey Park @ some point in time. My first visit there was nearly 20 years ago. Could that be true? Yikes! Actually, it was at the same age that Natalie is, so yes. My sisters, nephew, our friend, Jun and I ventured to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I'm not sure which part of the trip was my favorite...could've been the drive out & multiple stops we had to make...yes, HAD to make. Jun and I NEEDED coffee midway & while Marisel was good enough to get off the exit that SAID there was a Dunkin' Donuts, finding it was the challenge. We found it alright...in the OPPOSITE direction. Good thing bc I think I was getting a bit cranky....I hadn't run that morning and had no coffee up until that point...lolol. We made more stops after that~Mc Donalds (they are VERY clean in PA!), a gas stop (where I lost my camera bag), and EVENTUALLY to an arcade. That wasn't too much fun for me, but the kids loved it. Maybe it was the park itself...maybe just the amount of laughing we did...
Eventually, we made it to our destination. First we checked in to our hotel, (Marisel always chooses only the best! Sooo her! lol) had dinner and then were off to Chocolate World!
We started with a tour of how Hershey's chocolates are made~we could SMELL chocolate by the end of the ride...mmmmm! At the end, we received two (complimentary) pieces of Hershey's Bliss, which is a SMOOTH milk chocolate. After that we got to preview the park for a few hours, ride some attractions, including a long, wooden (no loops!) rollercoaster, and eat some more! I tried to be good!
The next morning we were right back @ it! We spent the first part of the day in the water park, which was AWESOME. The only set back was the cold I caught from it. Yes, only me! The second part of the day was spent doing the 'dry' part of the park. I have to admit that I chickened out of some roller coasters. I just couldn't get myself on them! Justyn & I rode a 'simpler' roller coaster...yeah, wasn't so simple when we were at the top & my 8 year-old nephew said, "Why did I want to do this? I'm scared now. Are you scared, Titi Jessie?" I replied w/ a confident, "Nope! This is great!" Truth be told, though, I def was nervous! lolol We got through it w/o a problem. =)
The ride home wasn't as lively as the ride out...tired had definitely set in. My cold had gotten so bad that we stopped @ a random rest stop (I don't recommend that) and I frantically searched for some kind of medication. Nyquil did the trick~and knocked me out for the next 11 hours. Wow!
Would I do it again? Absolutely! Time w/ my family, no matter what we do, is always exciting, entertaining, and leaves me with some of my favorite memories.

Pictures Added!

Well, I'm STILL trying to get the hang of how to upload and paste pictures neatly! lolol..
Give me time, everyone.
I wanted to share just a few of today's pics...The first is my mom & her sister, my aunt Aida. The second shows my cousins, Dana & Carmela, and my nephew, Justyn. Last, is my youngest sister, Natalie and I. Sadly, Marisel was working. We missed you, Maad!

Family Day in Connecticut

For those of you who don't know, home is in Connecticut. It's not where I grew up, but it's where my mom, sisters & nephew live, so it's home for me.
It's been too long since I've spent time w/ my mom & sister(s). After today's long run I went home with intentions of all of us going out somewhere. It was a beautiful day & I didn't necessarily want to be inside. Unfortunately, I got up there too late for us to do anything lengthy. We improvised, though...my mom, sister, cousin and the dog went for a walk. I loved every second of it. We walked & talked~at times over each other, lol~ laughed, told stories, and truly had a relaxing afternoon. Our walk only lasted about 30 minutes because we had to get Justyn (my nephew) from his camp. Today was his last day...ohhhh the memories! haha.
My family day ended with dinner @ Balducci's where my aunt, Aida, and my other cousin, Dana, met us. Present at the dinner table were 3 adults and 4 children, 3 of which are 8 years-old and younger! For a few minutes, I felt like teacher & camp director all in one! Wow! Good thing Nat (my youngest sister) was by my side! After giving 'teacher' eyes & directions to 'sit still @ the dinner table' she & I just looked @ each other & laughed.
It was wonderful to spend time w/ my family today. Although it was short, I enjoyed every single moment.

Make It Count...

That was the instruction I received before running my last hill during tonight's training run. (We're training for a marathon in October! Yay!) When I run Central Park, Cat Hill is the hardest part for me. Apparently, hill work was tonight's plan of action! Now, if you don't know about the hills of Central Park, let me give you a little background information on them... Central Park is known for it's 'rolling hills.' The Harlem Hill is LONG but has a steady incline. The rest of the hills are simply rolling hills...each one is challenging, but w/ practice it feels easier every time! Notice I said 'feels' easier...doesn't mean 'is' easier. However, if you are running in the park, it's clear that you are accepting the challenge. Now, Cat Hill (which has a statute of a cat ready to pounce at the top) defeats me EVERY TIME. This hill is not nearly as long as the Harlem Hill, but it feels much steeper & therefore is terribly difficult for me to get up w/o huffing and puffing, and then walking at the top. That's defeat for me.
Today, after a 4 mile warm-up, we challenged the hill w/ 5 repeat runs up & down it. The goal was to run as fast as I could up it and take long, quick strides back down. Okay, the first 3 times up were hard! I felt ILL when I'd reached the top, my breathing was too quick and I just wanted to quit each time I finished the uphill part. The ice cream vendor looked better and better each time I got there! haha. Downhill was 'a breeze' though...I LOVE downhills! The speed I am able to pickup keeps me motivated. The 4th time up, I felt GREAT! Seemed like I'd finally found my groove! Then, we were up to the last one... I was given my directions on how to stay strong, breathe properly, not stop @ the top, but slow down if I had to, and MAKE IT COUNT! Well, we definitely started out nice and strong, but then mind took over matter and I fell behind... I couldn't go as fast as I had just before and that was that... I didn't stop, as I was advised not to, but ran a bit slower than I would have liked... All in all, though, it was a GREAT workout! I have to conquer Cat Hill eventually. Thanks, Binu!! Good run, good times!
Back to the Make It Count comment... I think we should apply that to everything that is important in our lives..whatever we do, try do it to the best of our abilities & desires, and always MAKE IT COUNT.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

Natalie (my little sister) requested pictures! I'm posting just a few from my trip. Well, they are more so pictures of my friends and I IN Mexico. Lisa has the scenic ones...not quite sure when I'll get them, though. haha!
We did have a great time, and I came back to NY feeling more relaxed than I've felt in a long time.
Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

I can honestly say I'm glad to be home tonight. Well, at this point it's early Friday morning. I'm just settling in to my bed after a long day of traveling.

Cabo San Lucas was absolutely beautiful. The hotel we stayed at, Riu Palace, was very clean, spacious, activity & family oriented, w/ a good deal of couples, as well. I can't wait to post pictures, although my friends and I took mostly 'posing' pics. Lisa probably has more of the 'scenic' pics. However, you can always click on www.loscabosguide.com to see THEIR pics.
The water was turquoise blue, the sky was free of clouds, and the sand was too soft to run on, lolol. I saw pelicans, cruise ships, sea lions, little baby snails and nearly got pulled into the ocean by the strongest current I've ever experienced. One day, we were waiting to go Parasailing. Well, while Lisa was enjoying the water, it nearly dragged her in, which was both scary and hilarious. She wasn't hurt, which is why it was laughable...and to be honest, given everything, it was the laugh I needed.

I watched Lisa and Jaime parasail from the boat we went out on... Yep, I was definitely too afraid to go up there, but enjoyed watching them do it! They both got sick from the experience and that was enough to convince me I NEVER want to try it... I didn't mind, though...I was perfectly happy on the boat, and as most of you know~I don't like boats! haha.

The pool was the most relaxing part of the trip. I don't recall the last time I just 'hung out' at a pool. I finished the book I've been reading this summer, Sundays at Tiffanys, by James Patterson, which I highly recommend, read some magazines, and just slept. The sleeping part explains the burn on my back...sleeping hasn't been too comfortable. Yesterday's Kayak adventure, which was a totally fabulous and NEW experience for me, explains the burn on my thighs... again,I say OUCH.

My flights there and back weren't too bad. On the way to Mexico, I had a ridiculously long layover in Atlanta. Thankfully, Hollywood picked me up and he let me stay @ his new house overnight. What was great about that was seeing the house~it truly is great, Jason~and catching up w/ a very good friend. Thanks, Wood!
On the way home, my first flight was eh..there was a mom w/ 3 little children w/ her. One of those children kicked his chair, aka my back, for most of the flight. I thought to turn around and give him the 'teacher look,' but I also knew that she was traveling alone, so I didn't want to make her feel bad. I just sat & tried to rest. On my second flight, I spoke to a nice older gentleman from Atlanta who was going to NY on business. I heard all about his family and their travels. That made for a nice flight home.
My good friend, Binu, was good enough to pick me up from LGA...he lives VERY close to the airport and didn't mind bringing me home. It was good to catch up w/ him, too. Thanks so much, B!

I have to say, God blessed me w/ wonderful friends...not just the people who picked me up, lolol, but honestly, everyone I'm lucky enough to call a friend. =)
I'm glad I took this trip.... Pics are coming soon. Hugs.

Greetings from Mexico!

I'm in Cabo! Can't believe it! My friend, Lisa, convinced me to join her & her friend, Jaime, on their summer trip. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL! It's quite relaxing, and JUST what I needed....

Today is my last full day here. I have LOTS to write about...will do so in the next few blogs!
Needless to say I'm kinda burnt...my skin, that is. YEP, I did wear sunscreen, but gosh, the sun is STRONG!

Pics will definitely follow within the next few days...I fly home tomorrow...say a prayer for safe travels!

Much love,
Adios =)

Sagamore's Night Out @ Yaffa

To end this camp season, my office crew & I decided we should have a night out! I was thrilled when they decided on a place in the city! We went to Yaffa on St. Mark's Place. The joke of the night was me trying to figure out WHERE St. Mark's Place was. I was SO confused and my staff had a BALL with that! Ugh! haha. No worries~once I got it together, I made it there ~ BEFORE them! ha!
We all looked so nice in clothes other than our camp 'uniform.' The food was YUMMY!! We couldn't decide exactly what the cuisine was... I said American and got SHOT DOWN. ha! James, my Division Head, said ECCLECTIC. Um... okay. I had a FAB salad w/ avocado, grilled chicken, and CARROT DRESSING. Yum! Everyone else had something to their liking...we shared a two bottles of Sangria~delish! Afterwards, I had no problem DOWNING a chocolate cake...oh my goodness..it was excellent!
I can't thank you guys ENOUGH for such a fun night! It definitely was a bright spot in my summer...I know you all enjoyed yourselves and I'm glad about it! Hugs to you all!

The End of an Era...

That's what we said for entire the last week of camp...the end of an era. 12 years @ Camp Sagamore...gosh. It was lots of fun, but also took A LOT out of me. Sometimes I felt like I worked harder @ camp than work, although we all know that's not true. It was a different kind of work. Different responsibilities. Managing 150+ 4 & 5 year-olds, 32 teenagers, and everyone's parents was at times difficult! There's always a fire to be put out. This year, though, I did it differently... I was less stressed and felt more accomplished. Maybe the thought of not doing it after this year had something to do w/ those feelings.
We worked hard til the very last minutes of the day. There was just so much to be done between paperwork, reports, hugs, cleaning up...We were there long after we should've been. There was the usual joking at the same time... the name calling, the throwing of pens, papers, yelling. FUN!!! My friends called me from our administrative luncheon pleading w/ me to get out of the school. ha!
Saying good-bye to the little ones was bittersweet. Their big hugs, the parent's heartfelt thanks, seeing kids who had really difficult starts leave us with big, bright smiles...Those smiles made it all worth it.
I've grown in so many ways @ camp...I didn't even want to work there! ha! My mom insisted that I have a 'paying' summer job (the year I began). It turned out to be a place where I met many fabulous friends that I've kept over the years...Sue, Gid, Kimberly, Jen, to just name a few... I definitely grew as an Assistant Director...each year working harder on what didn't work the year before, helping the staff where I could, teaching the kids about getting along and such as much as I could.
I guess I could write forever, but I should probably stop here... Camp Sagamore. I was given the opportunity to return... I have to let them know by October... I hear you all though... I can tell EXACTLY who is saying NO! hahaha...Much love, everyone!

Camp Sagamore's Variety Show

Picture it: 150 4 & 5 year olds singing kiddie songs, doing little dances, smiling away~that was the scene of the morning!

My Division Heads, James & Rukshar, and I (pics next time) EmCeed the event. I think I was more nervous than the children! haha. The kids were adorable, and just as it happens every year, they did wonderfully! Practices were stressful and I was convinced it'd never come together, but it did!

I sat and sang along w/ as many groups as I could...tried to be encouraging and remind them the words and the movements... At one point, I had to hold back tears. I think I got caught up in the moment & realized that yep, this really is it for me.