Jan/Feb 2011 Retrospective

Since I was not much of a blogger this year, I decided to write a little recap of 2011 during the month of December.

 JANUARY 
The year started off with a bang. On January 1st, 2011 my hubby and I took off on a 2-week cruise from LA to Miami through the Panama Canal. Hands down best vacation ever, but even more so, this trip was so educational and really assisted in setting some future goals for my hubby's profession and schooling. We were part of a school group and almost every port visited we turned into a history lesson, except Cabo (we planned other ports and enjoyed margaritas) and Hualtuco (we swam in the warm Mexico waters and enjoyed Coronas). Our favorite ports were in Guatemala (very beautiful, explored Antigua, Guatemalans are the NICEST), Costa Rica (again very beautiful, we saw the most magical sunset ever), and Columbia (rich in history, especially around Spanish "discovery"). We loved going through the Panama Canal and enjoyed the Key West atmosphere to finish off our adventures.

A few photos: 

Finally learned to play chess with strategy! We played almost everyday after dinner.  

Tehuacalco Ruins outside Acapulco, a fairly recent discovery

Beach Day in Hualtuco

Costa Rican sunset, Por Vida! 

Columbia, on top of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Downtown Cartagena with our Colombian hats on; it was VERY sunny there.

Guatemalan Ruins in Antigua

More highlights:

• Meeting our new, good friends, David and Alma (and baby Sarah, who was in the womb). David and Alma were also part of the school group and we explored together in almost every port. Alma spoke fluent Spanish, which was very helpful getting around in Mexico, Central and South America.
• Seeing a volcano erupt in Guatemala, which is pretty common, but still neat to see in-person
• Experiencing a SUNRISE over the Pacific from the WEST. This happens in only one spot, the Panama Canal.  

So January was amazing and we kept a handwritten journal, as we always try to do on vacation, to be able to look back on our adventures.Many thank yous to my mom for enabling us to go on this trip of a lifetime.

FEBRUARY
I turned 31 this month, had a traditional birthday lunch at Old Tony's on the Redondo Beach Pier with family. My hubby and I also celebrated the day we met, February 15, 1997 in lieu of celebrating Valentine's Day. At the end of the month I flew to Richmond, Virginia to hang out with my arthritis BFF's family before heading the Washington DC for the Arthritis Advocacy Summit.

Redondo Beach Pier

The historic Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia

February is also the month a horrendous arthritis flare up set-in.