A Pisces by the Sea

One of my favorite places to be is the beach. Lounging near the waters edge, sunshine, sand, my favorite pair of sunnies, and an umbrella in my drink….its so peaceful and relaxing. This year for my birthday I decided to cross off an item from my 101 Things to do in 1001 Days list and I went to Miami for the first time.

What an AWESOME city! This will probably be at the top my my list for places to move to next with the Coast Guard. It has everything I love about NYC and the tolls are cheaper, the weather is consistently warm year round, and the beaches are beautiful.

I flew in the night before my birthday and met up with a friend I haven’t seen since I left my duty station in Mobile, Alabama, grab dinner, and met her kiddos. The next day we had a yummy breakfast at Big Pink before I checked in to the hotel and waited for the rest of my friends to arrive. The coffee and veggie breakfast burrito was delicious! Once everyone arrived we went to out lunch at John Paul’s House – a restaurant off the beaten path that I found through Gilt City. Then headed back to the hotel to relax poolside and before getting ready for nighttime festivities.

Our room attendant, Charles, was awesome! He made sure that we had everything we needed and even brought us vodka and mixers to the room while we got ready. We kicked off the night with dinner at Katsuya. The sushi was delicious! I had the Katsuya Special Roll and apple pie dessert Then it was off to dance the night away at Arkadia, located in the Fontainebleau Hotel.

Friday morning we walked the beach and chilled poolside before heading to the Cruise Port. We took a 4 day, 3 night cruise out of Miami with Royal Caribbean to Nassau, Bahamas, and Coco Cay, Bahamas.
This was my first short cruise, usually I go on 6-7 day cruises. There’s definitely a difference, but I had a great time nonetheless,  the service was fantastic, and we made it to each port call and back to Miami with no issues.

In Nassau, we spent the day at the Hotel Riu Palace on a day pass…all you can eat and drink, sunshine, the beach, and a pool bar…we couldn’t ask for more.

We pulled into Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean’s Private Island) the next day and spent the day relaxing on the beach and lounging in hammocks.

We pulled into Miami bright and early Monday morning, had breakfast in the dinning room, then headed to the airport….sad to leave 70 degree temps to go back home to snow in NYC. I hope spring comes to the Northeast soon.

Next year’s birthday ideas are already being researched…Europe, Hawaii, maybe Napa…we’ll see what happens.

Love AGT :)

It doesn’t feel like 7 years…

7 years ago today…

I remember leaving home with my bags feeling nervous and excited at the same time as I got ready to embark on a new adventure and take on a commitment to serve my country.

I remember flying into the Philadelphia Airport, and gathering with others at the USO making our last few phone calls and sending emails and text messages to friends and loved ones, as we waited for the buses to take us to Cape May, NJ…our home for the next 8 weeks.

I remember getting on the bus with butterflies…curious and excited. Some people slept, others chatted quietly, and the rest of us just observed and took in every detail. I remember thinking “there is no way I can fall asleep I want to be ready for anything that happens”.

I remember it was dark outside and the last few moments of silence because everyone stopped talking as the bus pulled through the gate of the Coast Guard Training Center and round the corner to our destination where 4 company commanders awaited our arrival.

I remember wondering how quickly I would move and tried to remember where I put my bag in the storage area so that I wouldn’t be the last one in formation.

The bus came to a stop, the doors opened, and my adventure began…Coast Guard recruit company Mike 173 – 10ft Tall and Bullet Proof

Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman
(The Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman was written by Vice Admiral Harry G. Hamlet, who served as Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1932 to 1936)

I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman.
I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.
I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.
I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders.
I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.
I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties.
I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems.
I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others.
I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.
I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.
With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest Works…
A UNITED STATES COAST GUARDSMAN.

Love AGT :)