It has been indeed a very very long time since I have blogged which makes me very sad; I really enjoyed this hobby! In the news: I am thinking about leaving Nemacolin for good. I will be leaving for Serbia in 6 days for a 2 week long vacation, see my family and discuss how things are going and when these plans will be finalised. It is the right decision anyway I can't be here anymore; things are very bad...I'm going on to bigger and better!!

Let's see these days I have been:
           
Working                                                                                                      Shopping


             
Visiting the Cheesecake Factory                                                            ...and sadly watching my tree lose its leaves....



Mark left Lautrec and we had a mini goodbye thing for him; it was so so sad but I wish him all the best- he is on to bigger and better!!!
                                                                       


I found this really nice quote for this month:
"Let the waters settle, you will see the stars reflected in your soul"

There are good things and bad things about every season. Fall is beautiful in all aspects of decor and colour and the pretty leaves; I have seen some gorgeous fall weddings. The sun is shining; the air is crisp enough to refresh you and require a jacket and killer ankle boots; but not too cold for you to freeze or see your own breath. Fall is also very very bad when it rains all day long; when you actually do see your own breath AND when you are required to wear gloves!

Today just happens to be an extrememly warm and beautiful fall day! And that is why it is time for new pictures!! Enjoy! :)

Kevi and I spent the most amazing evening at Falling Rock; not only was our dinner yummy, the view was very serene and the weather was B E A utiful!!!

   

Last night I shadowed Christina with the Dario wedding in which I particiapted about a month ago with my first training! I was sooooo excited!! I reported for duty at about 11 am and right from the start it was time to work as we were setting up the room for the reception. I did various things from directing guests to and from the plaza deck (where the ceremony was held); to writing name place cards, to checking guests in (due to security measures) to organising the centre pieces it was all so much fun!!! Everyone kept asking me "is this still what you really want to do"; and I kept smiling..YES YES YEESSS!! I really do!!! All the drama, I will take it- it is all paid off at the end of the night when you see the smiles on their faces. I was there at the wedding ceremony and it was so cute; gave me goosebumps :)!! So I will start training with the ladies sometime in October; I am very very VERY excited and Bobbi and Christina are really great! :)))

I will be going home November 15 for a good 2 weeks and I am SOOO excited already I cannot wait I am counting down the days already!! It will be super; clubbing, shopping, the city life my house, my family and friends I cannot wait!! Mara and Alex MAKE plans to come visit me immediately!!!!

This Friday, was the first Friday ever that we had off because the team went to NYC to cook for the James Beard House; which left Casey and me with nothing to do on a Friday night! In the morning we started by going for some lunch in Panera followed by some small shopping in Target and then we eventually made our way to the cinema to watch "The Time Traveler's Wife"; we made it just in time barely missing the beginning of the movie~ it was such a nice movie we cried so much!!

On the way back it was only about 18:30 we were on our way home depressed because we had nothing to do on a Friday night so Casey quickly turned the car around and we headed to the Wine and Spirits store for some alcos! We got Malibu, Sparkling Wine, Vodka Passionfruit and Baileys...then headed for some snacks and juice and we discovered the most delicious cookies ever!!! M&M cookies homemade yummmy!!

We put the top down from her car while listening to Pussycat Dolls and enjoyed in the moment with the cool wind blowing our hair! We quickly decided to have a summer party and got dressed up and started the party with champagne and strawberries and a toast to happiness, success, love, and everlasting friendship!

       

The night was so beautiful we were on the hammack watching the stars and listening to music while sipping our drinks! Casey found some photos from a girl she used to know "modelling"; we were SO much better!!

             

Then it was time to move on to something more concrete like Bailey's and we decided to try out those yummy cookies! After we made it official with a toast, i taught Casey how to cheers a la Serbian and it was official that evening Casey became Serbian~ ZIVELI!!
           


This section of the evening got a little bit wild as we started dancing more and doing cartwheels and lots of goofing around!

          

After some time Kevi joined us for the party brought and she mixed us Vodka with Pineapple juice; vodka with orange juice and then we tried Vodka with Cranberry juice as well....I think we liked the Pineapple variety the best!

                    





We tried calling various people and the last time Casey told me to call Brady; Dave picked up the phone....at first I could not recognize the voice but I quickly realised..ooops and then he hung up the phone which was just extremely RUDE!!! (he claims that I did it~ I am not rude i would never hang up without a purpose! ;) ).


What do you get with three girls dancing, drinking on a Friday night? A SUMMER PARTY!!! We laughed so much and fell of the hammock so many times, my elbow was scrapped from the fall on the concrete caused by Kevi when she got up and Casey and I fell back. THEN  Casey and I jumped up when the guys arrived and Kevi literally did a somersault backwards...it was the funniest thing ever!

It was definitely what we all needed, a great party where it was just us girls; enjoying with great music, yummy drinks and a hammack~ after a hard summer of long hours and no time to unwind this was the best night ever and probably the greatest memory I will take with me when I leave :)

Everyone says their first time is the most memorable and unforgetable experience they have ever been through; I would just like to add unimaginable, flawless, and absolutely perfect! Tonight, my family and I celebrated mum's birthday in Lautrec and as my first time, it truly was all of those things.

I was very nervous and anxious for the evening to begin; I am not sure if it was being nervous that my family would enjoy the meals and the experience in general...or if it was just all the butterflies in my tummy from the excitement as it was finally that moment that I have been waiting for during these past 5 months; my turn to experience Lautrec from the other side!

We arrived at the podium at precisely 18:30 and where greeted and seated by Jen; she started scrolling the menus and they just look SO cute and a very nice extra touch! We were seated by all 4 servers and welcomed by everyone; they could all hardly wait to meet my family and I am so happy that they did! Mark came by after a few hours to say hello; he reminds me of mum and dad so much sometimes.

The dinner was perfect, we ordered the 9-course menu however as the second setting came out, I noticed that Milan had a fish fork and I thought for a second that Robert had made a mistake, then the courses came out and mum and I received the Watermelon dish instead of the Yuzu...I immediately asked Casey what was going on and she said that when she told the kitchen to fire 9-courses for us, Dave said we are doing it my way! That meant so incredibly much to me, I cannot believe he did that; it was VERY special!  (Dave if you are reading this...from the bottom of my heart thank you; I know that its "nothing" to you, but to me it reallys means a lot lot!:) ). 

It was very exciting because my family reacted the exact opposite of what I expected! I thought that they would not like the fact that it was not traditional food and designed so small...that is the impression given anyway! However we were all so eager and excited to taste everything that we were not even looking at the time or thinking about our "hunger"....it was perfect and if possible, so much more.

My first time in Lautrec was beyond my expectations and those expectations were naturally based on what I see through the eyes of a maitre d'; I see all the details, I look for the errors, I watch every minute go by...and I try to appreciate what the guest has just experienced by offering them a final lasting memory. Experiencing it from the guest perspective, being wined, dined, and taken care of with 5 star hospitality, has really opened my eyes to the restaurant, people, and the "experience" we provide...it is definitely an experience and without a doubt, a lot more.

Tomorrow is the last day that my family is here and mum and I have SPA appointments in the morning which I am super excited for as well! I cannot believe how quickly 4 days have gone by, I do not want to have to say goodbye even though I will see them soon. I am so grateful that they came all the way here to visit me, it was a remedy for my soul but more importantly for my heart.

Some photos from our special evening in Lautrec:
                       

My family finally arrived state-side last night and after a very long wait, I finally welcomed them this afternoon! We took a nice quick tour of Nemacolin; they were fascinated by all the artwork and decor; by Lautrec (I know they can't wait to eat there)! Then we headed down to Uniontown to check into the Holiday Inn where we got our rooms and took a small break before going out for dinner. The hotel is different from any other Holiday Inn; very Americanised I must admit; the indoor pool is located in the middle of the hotel; the rooms are nice HOWEVER as Milan and I were messing around we noticed a wrapper on one of the sofa's and when we checked it was a Durex wrapper..eeeeeeeoooooooooowwwww!!!! 

We went to Applebee's and it was super yummy!! I was just reminded of how much I missed my family, but it was as if we were never separated; all of our jokes, everything that makes us laugh with and about each other...THEN we ended the dinner with the most amazing dessert; a chocolate peanut butter/oreo mudslide OMMMMMGGGGGGGGGG it was heavenly we all shared it!!

Then we headed down to Wal-mart to get some muffins and strawberries and Milan and I found our way to be silly as usual! Check out these photos!

Now we are just relaxing in our rooms! Tomorrow is going to be a super day with plenty to do!!!

Well this weekend has already zoomed by, I can't believe that I have to work at 17:00 in Autumn tonight, I am really not looking forward to that but everyone has to do that at least once so I am claiming my once tonight!

Lautrec has been really slow this weekend I really cannot believe how many reservations we dropped last night about 7 leaving us at 30 for the evening; how awful!

Family is coming over in less than 2 weeks I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am to see them, to be with them, and to take a break from Nemacolin! The training is still going nowhere, I am happy in Lautrec and I am not leaving the restaurant but what was promised as far as regular wedding shadowing has not yet been fulfilled so I am taking things into my own hands from tomorrow. I heard that I am scheduled for a 2 big weddings in the upcoming weeks; I actually met one of the bridal party and consulted with them so I am excited to be a part of their special day!!

Rainy this weekend which is nice to relax; Kevi and I are still powering up in the mornings with our walks and yummy chocolate soy milk drinks; what can I say I love trying new things yuuuuum!!!

Have a fab weekend everyone!!

I just found my new favourite song by Natasha Bedingfield- Happy (taken from the Bridewars Soundtrack); it is sooo cute and exactly what my new mission is about! 

Kevi and I started a new healthy lifestyle plan which includes daily fitness, healthy nutrition, less drinking, and making the most out of each day! This is day 3 of our lovely week and it has been fantastic!! We wake up early every morning and go for a looong walk around Nemacolin and it is so nice and fresh, everyone is out and it feels great to start the day earlier! Then we have breakfast and smoothies and relax a bit! I love the mornings!!! :) 

Work has been going really well these days; we had some potential inspectors and I think that we totally rocked it!! I am having so much more fun these days I feel fantastic AND my family is coming in 3 weeks I cannot even explain how excited I am already!!!!!!! Time is flying on the mountain, I can't believe it is already mid-July summer is almost halfway gone! I'm taking summer vacation about 2 months later than I normally do so I am soooooooooo excited I cannot wait :)))!!

Looks like the weekend is going to be great; we are going to be somewhat busier that last weekend and then my weekend is going to be great! I have started to watch Drop Dead Diva on Sunday nights followed by Army Wives, wow I'm addicted! Maybe I can squeeze in the new Harry Potter or Bruno. Then Kevi and I are planning a nice dinner out in the garden Monday evening :) 

Happy weekend everyone!!!!

This evening Casey and Brady invited me along with Casey's cousin Jenny for a test dinner; as Brady will be cooking for Casey's professor in a couple of weeks. It started perfect; a garden dinner as we had lovely weather; nice candles and flowers.

The first course was a corn soup with charred onions. Very tasty, it tasted almost like a seafood bisque, the sweet onions gave it exceptional flavour!


The second course was a shrimp risotto made with romano cheese and it was exquisite! Maybe it's because I am a huge lover of risotto or just the combination of the different flavours, it was amazing; Casey paired it up with a lovely Riesling!


The third course was beef Provencale; Brady had it cooking since 15:45 this afternoon so you can imagine the fine texture of the meat. A knife wasn't even needed to cut it, it literally melted off the fork and the mushrooms certainly gave it excellent flavour!


The fourth and final course naturally dessert was just perfect! As the beef was rather heavy due to the savoury flavours, Brady presented a Peach Melba with vanilla ice cream and delicious raspberry puree! My favourite was the puree it was very sour and gave the dish a very well  balanced finale!


Thanks guys for a very memorable evening of great food, wine and entertaining!!!

It was the most beautiful weather yesterday; gorgeous sunshine but it was not excruciatingly hot so Kevi and I decided to make the most of the day and take a long walk around Nemacolin! Since we have not posted photos recently we thought this was the perfect day for it!!!

Starting from our very own forest in Mystic Meadows...

 

Down to Le Marina and Lake Paige....
 

On to greener pastures...
 

This is my favourite part of the resort; it is so tranquil and peaceful!


And finally the yummiest lunch so far at the Tavern!

This is the Tavern sampler special where you can choose 3 starters so we had sweet potatoe fries, chicken wings (well for Kevi), and hummus!  Followed by yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmy chicken quesedillas!

And as le finale....peanut butter dessert with a chocolate ganache and for Kevi a bumblee crumb berry pie!
 

Then we went by PJ's parlour...check out Marilyn Monroe's dress!!
 

Kevi played on the very untuned piano.... and then we headed to the LaFayette gardens!

       

Kevi really loves lavender!
     

When we got home we were so tired so we rested for a bit and actually planned on watching a movie and calling it an early night! However Dan called us to the Wildside for Trivia night and so we went; turns out that we won a $20 gift certificate and well a celebration was in order so we ended up doing 3 tequilla shots each plus  other drinks; it was a great day!! No hangover today!! :)

It happens to be that when I log on to facebook properly and check out everyone's photos; life seems to fly at various intervals; mine being the slowest and most behind. I looked up people from my high school and WOW three quarters of them are in relationships; half are married; and a small but growing percentage is on their way to having babies!!! Where has the time gone....and how come mine isn't moving at the same speed?

I'm happy where I am right now, only because I can't afford not to be~~~nevertheless my time will come...

Interesting quote for today:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense"- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Such a great quote!!! Start the new day and live it like it is the only day; forget everything that happened yesterday!! Reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind; "I will not cry for tomorrow is a new day!" *I can hear mum saying this to me everytime something goes wrong*!!

So I skipped an inspirational quote for today because I had to wake up super early for my shift with the wedding planner today and it was AWESOME!! I reflected on the quote from yesterday actually from Van Gogh. I pushed myself today with the wedding planners; I asked so many questions, I showed them that I really want to do this and that it is what I really love; and 8 hours later...they agreed that I was fantastic!! SOOOO I will be going back to train with them and also be a part of the wedding that will take place next month!!! I had so much fun and the best part; this is what I really want to do!! I know this now!! Maybe not forever, but for now and that is what matters to me!!!

Mum and Dad are flying to Europe tonight safe trip, 28 days and they will be here I cannot wait. I have already started to get some ideas together and created an agenda for them when they are here!! It will be great!!!

So I have been quite inspired to start my own portofolio! Its' my new project!! Of course I am not able to put actual photos of my work just yet, however I do know what I like and i will start making templates for when I do have my first client! Plus I am already working on 4 different weddings you lovely ladies so I am EXCITED!!! This is finally my time!!! Maybe this is what I am here for, to discover my purpose and if this is how to discover it..it is going well!!!

Will keep everyone posted!!! Biiiiig auntie kisses to my new nephew Knut Alexander Taylor the most adorable baby boy yet!!!! Love you Gina!! xxx

I have decided to take on an inspirational turn and to continue with the journey that I started back home while I was re-discovering who I really am. It was obviously placed on a hold and definitely strained due to all the circumstances that I encountered which I never expected to have to deal with. Nevertheless, the journey continues! I love that word *journey*!

The weekend was great; Friday was fantastic service, plus a promotion made it all worth while. Saturday, 4th July was totally unexpected to me. I was hoping we would have about 70 reservations, turns out everyone wants to sit outside and watch fireworks *ok so I would totally have done the same* bringing us down to a mere 39 for the evening! Didn't help that I had to work breakfast shifts this weekend, but oh well that is over day off tomorrow!!

Nemacolin has updated our website finally take a look it is fabulous!!! http://nemacolin.com/dining/fine-dining/lautrec

Exactly a month till the family flies over I cannot wait to see them!!! As its Monday already, true to form I am posting an inspirational quote for the day; check this one out:

"If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
-Vincent Van Gogh"

**I think this quote is powerful!! It comes along with a quote from Pursuit of Happyness when Will Smith talks to his son at the basketball court. "Never let someone tell you that you can't!"; I would like to add *** and if they do, prove them wrong!***

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!! I have to pull on an unbelievable double shift today as its a holiday and Lautrec is BUSY tonight; it will be insane.....however I have the best news!! I got a promotion!! :) I am officially the maitre d'hotel of Lautrec!!! Last night my manager called me into the office and said that all of the servers discussed it and they would like to promote me because they do not tell me enough how much they appreciate all that I do for them during service and that I have more than earned the title, so now I offically have!! It made me SO happy; I am not officially part of a team who cares and appreciates me and to whom I am 150% dedicated! Who knew it would be with a 5 star restaurant; I guess my life just took a complete 180 degree turn from my goals! I will still be working with the wedding planners, I have a shift on Tuesday which I cannot wait to experience!! Off to work a morning shift with Aqueous, take a small nap and then 15:00 Lautrec until tomorrow ;)! 

Have a greaaaaaaaaaat weekend everyone!! *all smiles*!!!

Yayyy now that I have internet in the house again I can blog as often as possible and share my simple joys; well when they make me smile!

Check out the cute goodies I landed this past week!

Cute and very chic laptop bag, finally one which is easy to carry around (not intended for travel overseas naturally) and its cute and comfy!


Glam necklace and pair of earrings to go with my "brown" mood at the moment and it complements my eyes for when I am in an olive mood!


Very organized holder for the bathroom which not only makes everything look so much more spacious and tidy but it can hold so much!


An organiser cabinet for all of my stuff which has piled up... *look it has wheels!*



And the best thing this week: a brand new CUTE webcam!!!


The house has been clean these days and quite nice to live in now that a certain some one has been home for a few days. I even made mukies! (cookies made in a muffin tin~ or as Paige calls them cookie cups) :):) **Marina got her zen back!!! :)**

A really big shout out to all the Fathers in the world; this blog is dedicated to the best Papsie in the world!! I would not be who I am today without you! I love you so so soooo much!!!

The days have been passing by so quickly I cannot believe it is nearly the end of June, which means the ned of Lautrec; I do not know what is going on with my next rotation but I certainly hope to find out soon!! i don't want to leave, last night was a really busy service but I was so upset at the thought of having to leave the team and the restaurant. i have grown so close to it, and finally have a stability that I do not want to leave!!

Nothing new has been going on, this weekend I hope to relax as much as possible, my feet really hate me at the moment from running around in heels and standing too much so I think I might just pamper them a bit today! Hitting Nemacolin's associate sale to see what goodies I can fish out; I can't wait to see my family in less than 2 months!!!

Have a great week everyone!!! xxx

This week is turning out to be quite sour at the moment, I got 3 days off this week including a Tuesday which totally messed with my bio clock; therefore today is not such a great day. For the most part I love being a woman, but on days like this when my hormones send off a "reflective" state and make it clear how much my life sucks, I really hate being a woman today.

The weekend was nice, Paige, Andrew, Brad and I went to the cinema although it really is horrible here in Uniontown, nevertheless; it was fun being full moon, that seemed to have changed things because I didn't get a good night sleep and yesterday i spent literally the entire day in bed, reading, watching the food network and just being lazy both physically and mentally.

Melissa and I then decided to go outside, to the wildside (like woow, what an outing), still we went bowling and played some of the games so that lifted my spirits a bit. Today I didn't do much, I got a tan for about an hour, then I made lunch, watched "House" (who knew...), and now I'm using the facilities a la Nemacolin!

This past week I have received 3 wedding invitations of which 1. I am unable to attend and 2. are all from my high school class who claimed that I would be the first one of all of us to get married and be a mummy; that is not going to happen. On top of that my best friend just announced that she will be staying in Montreux with her boyfriend, they are in love...which makes my heart so happy that she found her soulmate, but then the never ending question...what about me?

Work is fantastic so when I say that things aren't going well, work is excluded. I am lonely, no one understands me...and there is no place to be my true self over here. I tried to cover it up, to hide my needs, my desires...components which I thought were unnecessary here but which complete me; it is not work. It's been about 3 months since I got here and so much has happened emotionally, extreme highs and lows which I know is not healthy or good at all; and I can't hide anymore.

I am from a totally different world, not necessarily better; just completely different and when I first got here and accepted this challenge, I knew what I was getting myself into but reality is so much more different and honestly, no I had no idea what it would take to last 12 months like this. I thought I was selfish because I demanded a social lifestyle, people who understood and cared for me, who were there for me- I miss my best friends; I can't expect them to be there for me when they have their own lives to be excited about and to think about. And I am so happy for how things are going for them, but then again--when will my life take a great turn, when people will be happy for me, when I will feel happy?

I am thankful for being here and I do count my blessings every day, but it is not enough to make it go the long way. Every day is a battle here of highs and lows and my emotions are stronger than ever when I do not feel secure with myself. Ever since I started this journey it has been a dramatic shift from pre-planning my life to living it daily. In a way it is great because I never know when some unexpected surprise will happen, but in another-- the surprise is always a bad one and I do not like not having a plan. I have never felt this out of control; I have no idea what will happen tomorrow other than I will be at work--I have no plan for when I leave the US and it scares me. I have nothing to look forward to and my only real responsibility is to myself--how can I not have a plan...what if I fail?

I am looking forward to March when I can honestly leave this place and finally move on with my life and make something of it; I still have no idea if this was a wrong decision to come here because I am so miserable...I do not know when I will find out or if I ever will so I have to take what I can. I am leaving Lautrec in about 2 weeks which will signal a new start with banquets; maybe things will get better there--maybe not I have to go through it no matter how much it hurts me or how lonely I am.

I feel stuck at the moment; it is very difficult to live here when you are alone, when you don't have somebody to share your day with because granted it piles up; no one to observe how well you are doing, how your life is changing...to give you a hug when you don't need one, to cry with...maybe its time for a good cry, it has been a while now...

I am trying to understand if there is something wrong with me, with all of what I have said, what I feel; am I wrong? Do I expect way too much? Is this another lesson which is meant to test me...or to change me into a better person? Am I selfish and spoilt for wanting better or am I just too stupid because I want it all now and don't realise that there is "timing" in all of this...what is all of this and why am I so powerless to see the bigger picture? 

I just want to go home...

I realise that it has been probably the longest time since I have been able to write anything, unfortunately my internet situation is still not sorted out which means until I sort that out, weekly internet sessions at Nemacolin! The week has been crazy work wise, we have been open all week yet had very messy reservations and very few which makes me sense! Last night we had an amazing service with only 38 guests in total, it was satisfying and I got to leave an hour earlier!

Last night the most amaaazing thing happened! I fell in love with a perfect stranger! Just when I thought my life didn't need any more complications and exaggerated fantasies; fate threw in another round! I was hostessing last night when the most charming, elegant, gorgeous and extremely classy gentleman in a gorgeous tuxedo, pink shirt and pink tie walked over with a champagne flute and said "Good evening Miss how are you?"; I melted! He stopped by on his way back to the wedding he was attending, to ask me about Lautrec...he was charming! Several hours later right before I went home, he came by with some friends on their way to their room and he remarked "you're holding down well- and leaned over ....I'm sorry, I have to introduce myself--I'm kyle"; of course I managed to respond and give him my name and just when I thought I couldn't handle any more butterflies, he said "I hope to see you soon"; and as he was walking away, he looked back and smiled. HOw can anyone recover from that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???? Well I sure didn't, I somehow made it home full of energy, glowing....I didn't know what to do with myself; i was speechelsss!! I  danced for about half an hour followed by cleaning my room and closet AND I even did my laundry before my energy curve sent me to bed! I'm all smiles...I do not care about anyone else all I know is that I'm in love with this perfect stranger!

Just when I thought that my life was getting boring and routinely, life threw me some excitement! I do not know if I will ever see this man again, or if it was just God's way of shining some light to all the fairytales in my head and fantasies of my heart; but I will leave it up to that!

IN OTHER NEWS: my last day in Lautrec will be June 30th, a Tuesday; which saddens my heart because I have grown SO attached to the restaurant, to the team, to the family! However, Adam has bigger plans for me with banquets and I trust his judgement so I am looking forward to starting what I came here for! I have the next 3 days off and I was really hoping Kal would pick me up so I could visit him in Baltimore, but he is flying back to Nigeria (which makes me SO jealous!!); so instead Andrew, Paige and I are going to the movies tonight; not sure what is going on tomorrow, but Kristin is taking us to a Pirates (baseball) game to Pittsburgh on Tuesday which should be tons of fun!! A real American experience :) I told Kory that I want to go to an American Football game before I leave so that will be an even bigger American experience :).

Nothing new happening, at home things are going just fine with my roommates; we all work at different times so we do not see too much of each other. I started the South Beach Diet with Casey and today is Day 7!!!! We are doing so well I am so proud of us and the progress and the dedication! It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be, I didn't have a "bread/pasta" attack yet, I have 7  more days of this strict phase and then I am allowed to re-introduce healthy whole grains and fruit! I am dying for a fruit smoothie!!!

Time is actually going by really quickly here at Nemacolin now that it is summer time. My family is coming to visit me in 2 months and I can't wait to see them! I am trying this new thing where I live day to day and so far it is going well. i do not have a plan for tomorrow at all-- in a larger sense I do not have a plan for March 2010 either! In a way it always comes back to scare me, but I am just loving this new living so far...now before everyone thinks I have completely gone insane, of course I will start to think about long-term plans once I get past my 6 months here and am a bit closer to leaving; the old Marina is still in there...somewhere :) 

Have a super week everyone! xxx
PS: I still check hotmail FYI!