Rum Point, Grand Cayman {Are you getting sick of these updates yet?}

***WARNING: Graphic images included.  If you are reading this with a wee child sitting in your lap, remove the child before proceeding.***

Today we drove to Rum Point.

Rum Point, like so much of what I see here in/on the Cayman Islands, reminds me of stuff from movies.  I don’t have a lot of experience with tropical island-y places—most of what I know I have learned from Pirates of the Caribbean (the ride and the movies).  Honestly, being here is so surreal, it is difficult to believe it’s really happening at all (is this real life?).  That sounds like an awfully strong sentiment for a family vacation, but it’s true: I can hardly believe I’m really here.  We’ll be holding hands, walking down the moonlit beach to the sound of steel drums from nearby resort parties, and I just look around thinking, “Where’s the movie crew?  This is just like 50 First Dates.”

Rum Point is so stereotypically “island,” it almost seems like a ride at Disneyland.  Have I mentioned that I like Disneyland?  I do.  Therefore, I also really like Rum Point.

Rum Point Barrels

Rum Point is a cabana-ish group of buildings and grills right along the beach.  The tables are painted bright, tropical colours that would look ridiculous anywhere else, but here, they seem absolutely appropriate.

PK at Rum PointSomeday, he’s going to look back on this vacation and regret that the only pictures he has are of the top of his wind-blown head.  I’m pretty sure.

At Rum Point, they roast pigs on spittles over hot coals for upcoming luaus.

Roasted Pig on SpittlePoor little dude’s eyes are still open and his tongue’s hangin’ out.  What an horrible way to go.

Underside of Roasting Pig on SpittleYes, that would be a gaping hole in his neck.  Maybe they couldn’t stand the sound of his tortured squeals, so they cut his throat out.  Take that, pig. Anyone a vegetarian yet?

Me either.  In fact, we sat down at one of the tables to order overpriced meals from the grill.  All part of the experience, we told ourselves.

Caribbean Jerk HamburgerPoor Kyle had a Caribbean Jerk Hamburger, where the only thing jerked about it was the mayo—I’m not sure if that counts, but whatev.  Poor Kyle says this photo makes it look a lot better than it was.  But the fries were good.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich at Rum PointI had a grilled chicken sandwich with pesto on some kind of bread…bubboli…bobola…I can’t remember the name of it.  The pesto was the best part. (Thanks to Poor Kyle for sacrificing his dill pickle spear when I didn’t get one of my own.  I didn’t even ask for it.  That’s real love.)

The food was sub-par, but we aren’t complaining—we got to choke it down to the sounds of the waves lapping at our feet.

Rum Point Beach ChairsWhen I look at this photo, the only word that comes to mind is “Sigh.”

Anyway, the real accomplishment of the day is that I actually attempted to style my hair cutely.  Not that it worked, but I sort of liked the results.  Anyone who knows me knows that my hair is not my biggest priority.  I don’t know what compelled me to come up with a new style—must be the island influence.  I call this style…wait for it…Beach Buns.

Beach Buns

Beach Buns2

Even though Rum Point is no stranger to devastation…

Rum Point Hurricane Sign

…it seems to keep coming out on top.

And for that, we are grateful.

Grand Cayman BeachRum Point Grade: A+ (if for ambiance alone)

Posted in Married Life, Travel | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Teenage Survival Guide

***Today’s guest post comes to us all the way from Mesa, Arizona.  My dear friend RatalieNose (of EverybodyNose notoriety) has graciously agreed to post for me today.  RatalieNose is an up-and-coming blogger who is fairly new to the e-world.  The sweet 16 year-old updates her own blog frequently, reminding me of all the things I used to like (and some I used to hate) about being in high school.  She also hosts frequent giveaways on her blog, or prizes to everyone who comments on particular posts.  It’s boatloads of fun, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve been seeing lots of boats lately.  Enjoy her guest post, and then swing by her blog to say hello.  {Also note—I added the pictures, all of which were swiped from her blog.  Just thought you should know, lest you think RatalieNose sent all the pictures of herself to be included.  She didn’t; she’s not vain like that.  That is all.}  —Camille***

Top 10 Ways to Survive Teenager-hood
by RatalieNose

1. Know how to ask, what to ask for, and when to ask for it.
ratalienose1
This applies mostly to parents and teachers.  When you want something, be smart about it.  Take last night for example:
I wanted a half hour extension on curfew.
But my room wasn’t clean.
So I knew not to even ask.
Had I, then my parents would’ve probably made me come home earlier to clean it.
Moral of the Story:
Play it smart and safe, only go out on a limb if you’re 85% sure that it’ll work.  Put yourself in the shoes of the nearest adult.  This is the best way to undermine *cough cough* I mean RESPECT and HONOR their authority.
2. Tap into your inner-child.

ratalienose3
You’re not a kid, but you sure as heck aren’t an adult.  So what do you do?  Take some of the responsibility that growing up brings, but also, have something that ties you to that simpler time when 1+1=2 and your daddy was the best looking guy you knew.
For me,
It’s princesses!!!
Disney Princesses!
I have princess blankets, movies, lamps, coloring books, tissues, candy dispensers, watches, journals, aprons, books ect.ect.ect.
You name it,
I have it.
Is this lame?
No.
It makes me happy!!!
Keeps me sane.

3. Have a creative outlet.
ratalienose-and-geneva
You’ve got to have something outside of school in which you can channel all your excess energies, let loose and be yourself. For me, it’s blogging, singing, and playing the piano.
4. Learn how to pick and choose your battles.
ratalienose2
Realize that most of the time, IT’S JUST NOT WORTH IT.  Sure, you’re right.  You’re always right.  But your BFFAEAE—Mimi—just doesn’t understand that.  Are you willing to give up a life of friendship just for the sake of your own superiority????  No.  You’re not.  Why?  Cause that’d be stupid.  Save the drama for your mama.

5. Tell the Truth.
Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy, whether you’re talking to a parent, teacher, or friend.  The negative consequences of being dishonest will ALWAYS show their ugly little faces eventually.  So don’t even go there.

6. Have AT LEAST one good Personal Philosophy to live by.
My favorite:
Wear cute enough clothes so that no one notices that you’re not wearing makeup.
THIS WORKS!!!!
I didn’t wear makeup ONCE last week, but I got a ton of compliments nearly EVERYDAY!
Don’t fall for the old “appearance is everything” line, but don’t let yourself go and say “looks don’t matter,” because they do.  It’s all about balance.  Find your Happy Medium.

7. Know the difference: Friends VS. Acquaintances.
ratalienose7
A common misconception among female teenagers is that you have to have a big group of friends to have fun.  THIS IS A FARCE.
Here’s what you need:  Lots of acquaintances—-people you can talk to in classes, at lunch and hang out with occasionally—and a couple close friends that you like and that like you enough to hang out with outside of school.  *NOTE*  I DO NOT recommend having just one “Best Friend.”  Can you say DRAMA????
Cause what happens when ya’ll fight?
Or she moves?
Or decides that she hates your guts?
Exactly.
You’re left with nothing.
So have lots of “Best Friends” and you’re set!

8. Have at least one good guy friend.
ratalienose8
Anyone who reads my blog knows about Rusty, and what an awesome influence he’s been in my life.  Basically he’s one of the Top 3 People (besides my family) that I can’t live without.  Sometimes, the estrogen just gets to be TOO MUCH!!!!  Throw in a little testosterone and you’re pretty much golden!

9. Have Low Expectations.
ratalienose6
Relax; set down your pitchforks and pick your jaws up from the floor.  I’m not talking about important stuff like grades and such.  I’m talking about Boy Selection, parties, dates, and the lunch special in the cafeteria.  Think of it this way:  Aim low and you’ll never be disappointed! And most of the time, your expectations will be exceeded.
And that’s always happy.

10. Live it up, cause it doesn’t last long.
ratalienose5
‘Tis true—at 16, I’m about halfway through my teen years and LET ME TELL YOU, the time has FLOWN right past my face.  Before you know it, you’re gonna be on your own, responsible for EVERYTHING in your life.  Take advantage of the time where your biggest decision of the day is “what am I gonna wear?”  Basically, these can be the best, or the worst years of your life.  It’s your choice.
Posted in guest posts, like-it-link-it | Tagged | 16 Comments

Grand Cayman (of the Cayman Islands)

welcome_grandcaymanImage from here.

Poor Kyle and I are holidaying in/on the Cayman Islands [I’m always in a quandary as to whether people stay in an island or on an island…].

It should come as no surprise that we are enjoying ourselves immensely…

Squinty Eyes on the Beach…even though we have squinty Sailor Moon eyes (someone forgot his sunglasses, and someone else took hers off to make the first someone feel better about his sore-eyed plight).

Sunglasses on the BeachBut the Sacrifice for Love only lasted about a nanosecond.  Someone should have bought himself a new pair of sunglasses before we left.  Poor Kyle.

Some of my more astute readers might have noticed a comment on a recent post, wherein Shalynna casually mentioned that Poor Kyle and I should come stay in her house in/on Grand Cayman while she was house-sitting for someone else.  She probably didn’t think we’d really take her up on it.

Flip Flops in the SandBut we did. Fully.

See, here’s the thing: I really wanted to take a holiday to anywhere that has never seen snow.  Poor Kyle phoned me, all excited, and said, “Did you see the comment about the Cayman Islands?”  I hadn’t, so he read it to me, and I said, “I’m pretty sure she was just saying that as a nice thing to say—she couldn’t have been serious.”

Readers, whether Shalynna was serious initially may always be a mystery.  The fact is, she got serious really quick when I emailed back asking if she was serious.  ‘Til the day I die, I will always be a little embarrassed that I sort of invited myself to live in Shalynna’s house in/on the Cayman Islands when she might have only been making small talk…but for now, I’m very glad I did.

Grand Cayman BeachWouldn’t you be glad?

She has been the niceset, sweetest hostess I could ever wish for: She left treats for us on the pillows, maps and travel books and magazines for our convenience, and a spare cell phone in case of emergencies.  (For the record, my own sister lets us stay at her house every time we visit AZ, and she is also an amazing hostess, even though we’re family and I’m from Mesa and don’t need hosting…she does it.  We got treats on our pillow there, too.  Treats, treats, treats, all day long.  I like treats!)

Right-Hand Drivind Daihatsu

After a red-eye flight to the island, we rented a right-side driving car, which was perfect for the left-hand driving streets of the Cayman Islands.  (The Cayman Islands are a territory of Great Britain, so the driving is just like it would be in England, which is heart-stoppingly frightening.)

White Rental Car on Cayman Islands

Poor Kyle almost killed us only once, and I may or may not have heard the first three letters of a four-letter word escape his terrified lips.  But we got over that, and have already burned 1/8 of a tank of fuel (which is saying something for the tiny economy car we rented) driving up and down the streets of Grand Cayman.  We can’t get enough of it.

So far, one huge difference between the Cayman Islands and everywhere else I’ve been in my life is the way they bury the dead.  I’ve seen three or four cemeteries right on the beach, with headstones stuck  in the sand like I used to do with pencil stubs at recess back in elementary school.  It’s very interesting, and I must admit that if I have to die, being buried in/on paradise might not be such a bad idea…

Sandy Cemetery on Grand Cayman

Buried in Sand in/on Grand Cayman

Sandy Island Cemetery

Buried in the Sand on Grand Cayman

Sandy Island Cemetery2

…but all that stuff aside, I hope I don’t die while I’m here.  My mom is convinced that since the Cayman Islands are *so close* to Mexico (they aren’t really that close—they’re a lot farther from Mexico than Arizona, truth be told), Poor Kyle and I are going to contract Swine Flu and die, and probably be buried in the sand just like these other dead people.  Call me an idealist, but I think we’re safe.

PK on the Beach

This island motivated Poor Kyle to shave his crusty beard—surely nothing bad could happen in a place this good.

Posted in Married Life, on the road again, Poor Kyle, Recreation, Travel | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Did You Think You Knew Me?

Did you think you knew me?  You were wrong.  This is a special post.  This post will reveal all the things you didn’t know about me.  Or you thought you knew, but they weren’t true.  Did you think my name was Camille?  Did you think I’m from Mesa?  I’ll answer these and more questions in a minute.
I’m going to be sincere.  I’m sorry I lied to all of you.  My name is not Camille.  I’m not the girl you saw in the pictures.  I used my good friend’s name, Camille, and posted pictures of her, because she is gorgeous and her name is so beautiful.

Camille1See? She is fantastic! So lovely! She has the perfect hair and nose!

I was pretty scared of being sincere with you. I was sure my name and bio information wasn’t as interesting and cute as Camille’s. So I asked her to use her identity to write Archives of Our Lives {Of course, she accepted}.

So let’s start from the beginning.
Name: Chloe
Nationality: Spanish
Born in: Seville (Andalusia), Spain

See? Chloe is not as beautiful as Camille. And if I had said I was from Spain, surely nobody would have read this blog. Who wants to know about a girl from a far-away country? A girl who has apparently nothing in common with you?

paella

A Spanish girl eats paella…

turronInstead of eating turkey at Christmas, she would eat turrón {which is a type of candy traditionally eaten at Christmas}…

…She celebrates April Fool’s Day on December 28th…

…She receives gifts from Santa {but she calls him Papá Noel, like in French} and from the Three Wise Men {she is not stupid! She receives lots and lots of presents thanks to these customs!} on January 6th.

holy-week-sevillaIn April she has vacation for two weeks: Holy Week {≈ Easter Vacation}…

feria-sevilla…and then one or two weeks later, Feria!

She enjoys wonderful weather from March to November! Although summers are scorching…
See? Nothing in common.

Marital status: NOT married. Sorry! I’m not married to Poor Kyle {he is Camille’s hubby}. But probably in the near future I will be married to a guy, named Jimmy. Jimmy is the name of my boyfriend. Something he has in common with PK is that both are handsome and nice and cute and cheerful.

Studies: Well, I have actually finished my degree. I studied something very similar to what Camille is studying. She is studying English, right? I have an English Translation degree. Quite similar.

Age:  Perhaps this is the only true thing you knew about me. But that’s because both my friend Camille and I are 22.

Children: No. Another thing you really knew about me.

Pets: Yes!
Dogs: No.
Cats: No.
Birds: No!
Fish: No.

ferretA ferret:  Yes!

So now you really know who I am, I have to be honest and tell you…this is a joke! Camille asked me to be her guest at Archives of Our Lives. I’m Chloe from My Happy Ending.  If you feel curious about Chloe {that’s me, the person who has written this post}, please visit my blog any time!

***Hi, it’s Camille again, for reals this time.  Isn’t Chloe fabulous?  I don’t know how she found my blog, but she’s been a faithful reader for several months.  I have a deep affinity for European people, so of course I liked her instantly.  {She doesn’t know it yet, but someday I will visit Spain and she will have to meet me!}   She is a native Spanish speaker, but is fluent in English (obviously), French, something else I can’t remember, and now she is trying to learn Japanese!  She’s a linguist.  I wish I was a linguist—they are fascinating.  Thanks, Chloe—everyone go check out her blog, and marvel at her amazing English skills.  That is all.***

Posted in do what I say, guest posts, Travel | Tagged | 9 Comments

The Reveal. (Almost.)

Poor Kyle and I are going on holiday.  Just for fun.  Because that’s how we roll.  We’re at the airport right now, waiting to catch a red eye to the destination of the first leg of our trip.

Leg1 Part1Normally, Poor Kyle and I start out our adventures looking much more chipper, but…well…we’ve been awake all day and we will be travelling all night.  Forgive us.

Leg1 Photo2In all actuality, we’re really excited about our excellent adventure, but maintaining these toothy grins at this time of night is just out of the question.  It’s late.

I really want to tell you all where we’re going—I want to tell you so badly I can hardly stand it—but Poor Kyle is sort of a secret-keeping nazi, and he doesn’t want me to spill the beans.  Maybe he thinks our plane will crash and he doesn’t want you all to get your hopes up; I don’t know, really.  (If our plane does crash and we die, we just barely had our wills officially written and legalised, so I guess we’re in good shape.)

While we’re gone, I will be updating on a regular basis, but not as regular as my usual basises [basies?], because, well…I’ll be on holiday.  I take my holidays very seriously.  However, every few days, I’ll pipe in with pictures and travel tales; in the meantime, however, I am turning my blog over to the very capable hands of some of my favourite bloggers, for guest posts.

The last {and first, incidentally} time I had a guest poster here at AoOL, it was a smashing success.  My mother told embarrassing stories of me as a baby, and everyone agreed she needed to start a blog of her own.  This time, however, my mom’s tremendously busy with work (the month of May is always horrific for educators), so I’ve delved a bit deeper into my resources of friends.  I have four terrific bloggers lined up to keep things hopping here.  Don’t blink, or you’ll miss all the fun!

Posted in Married Life, on the road again, Recreation, Travel | 18 Comments