The Party - Cooking and Pizza

Happy Sunday People!

So Yes it is the day after the party and we are all still alive to tell the tale hehe

The morning was a mad rush of preparations, poor Ernesto was taxi driver first taking myself and Amelia to the grochery shop so I could get all the food that I needed to prepare . . then after droping us back he picked up Anelys and the two other girls and took them to get all the other stuff like balloon, paints ect . . .

While Amelia slept I cooked, cupcakes, cheerio slice, meat balls, mini pizza's, mini hotdogs . . . hmmm I am probably forgetting something. I was very busy in the kitchen . . .we had a water problem yesterday too, we had to get the tank pumped out then new water put in, then right when I needed to have a shower the power went out which happens on a daily basis you just never know for how long but of course that meant the pump wouldn't work to pump the water for my shower.

HOWEVER I eventually got ready and a good time was had by all, the food was complimented . . oh thats right I made them fairy bread which no one had heard off, thanks JM for the party food advice hehe

Of course lots of pictures were taken by myself and then by a professional . .

After the last child left we collapsed though not for long as Anelys Mum took us out for some Pizza cause yesterday was actually Ernesto's bday.

As I sit here, we are all getting ready to head off to get me some stuff then to the airport . . next stop CUBA.

I am not sure what the computer situation will be there so we'll see when my next chapter of Gone with the Wind, gee thanks Dad is ready.

Love to All

Cara

Pics Continued from DR

Pic's Pic's and more Pic's you asked for them

Afternoon All,

Well the tour didn't end up working out, so I am just chillen in the house today while everyone is out . . I worked out the washing machine . . and have just been on the computer, sorting photo's, emailing, catching up on home and away hehehe

I thought I would post a few pics .

Fun in the Sun .. a little red :-)

Good Evening All,

A lovely day was had by all, adults and children alike.

We eventually found the place that we were wanting to go to, Aneyls called up a bunch of them this morning as the prices differ from place to place . . .there are heaps of them . . I have come to the conclusion that this country runs on Schools and Resorts alone I think.

We started off by having some fun in the sand and beach . . two out of the 3 girls hadn't been to the beach before so it was very cute . . Mia loved it after she got used to it, and we even gave Amelia a quick dip as she was covered in sand already hehe

Had something to eat, I actually managed to have something besides fast food . . . I had some rice, some fish and a few veg that I picked out from another dish.

After waiting for our food to go down (yes Mum) we hit the pool, played some pool volleyball of sorts . . .and took all the girls in again :-)

We had to get out by 5pm cause thats when the day passes finished, now we are just chilling out at home as it is a big day in the house hold here tomorrow with both parents going to work and all the children off to various schools . . yep school starts really really early here.

Not sure yet my plans for tomorrow, I might be going for a tour for half the day of the city with a guide but they are going to call Anelys tomorrow morning if they can fit me in. Just as I type this the pharmacy is dropping off some stuff Anelys ordered over the phone . . early we had some water delivered . . . that kind of thing I could get used to . . the driving and the roads uuuuhhhhh maybe NOT. :-)

Friday mid morning for you Aussies, so not long till weekend time.

Love to All
Cara

A post for Alison

Hi Al & All

Just to let you know . . . we are getting ready to spend the day at a resort, where you can use the beach and the pool, all sports stuff, food and drink for a pretty low Ozzy price for the day . . I think like $28Aus pr adult.

I thought about you and put sunscreen on straight away before I even got my bathers on, your voice was in my head!!

So as you all sleep I should be relaxing by some water.

Will write more tonight

xo

On the road. . . . and a few ditches!

Hi All

So I know your all waiting with held breath to find out if I am alive and okay . . . YEP I managed to do it and actually I am quiet proud of myself . . some people probabely wore out their horns on me but oh well thats there problem!
With only one wrong turn, which was easy to undo . . . and going through a few pothole/ditches too quickly . . . we managed to get to every place alive and in one pc . . . got some petrol too, and someone pumps it for you and takes the money off you too, so no need to get out of your car!!

Yesterday we just pottered around and ran errands, one of which was getting my plane ticket from here to Cuba and back . . . so a big YAY on that one. I also got to see where Ernesto works and Gaby goes to school. . . . .

Funny points of the day were mainly seeing peoples stares and looks as Ernesto and I were walking through the shopping centre with the 3 girls whilst Anelys was having her hair cut hehehe they look at one of us then the other one then all 3 girls before walking away in wonder hehehe
We also got similar looks through out the day with just Anelys and I and the 2 girls . . you can see people trying to work out how we all fit together :-)

Had a nice relaxing evening at home after the 3 girls fell asleep in the car, us adults stayed up and played Monopoly . . .I WON!! We ate lots of corn chips and salsa plus biscuits . . and some choc of course :-)

I also had a bargin buy of the day, I went to get some snacks and thought I would get some Gin and Tonic . . . a good Gin that I get back in Oz which costs me around $60 . . cost me $14aus here wooohooo I think that I am going to be buying another bottle of that to come home. . . I did quickly email fellow Gin drinkers to rub it in oh sorry I mean let them know of my fortunate find. :-P

Love to All
Cara

On the air again (similar to on the road again) ARRIVED SAFE

Hola (not sure if thats spelt right) (someone not mentioning names commented on my bad spelling)

I have arrived in the Dominican Republic!!

JFK was a mad house, I got there really early on my shuttle though after having to get up at 4.30am . . . . the plane ride was pretty good, Everyone had way to much carry on luggage which caused many fights and much fussing around . . . also the girl on the seat next to me was a bit horozontally challenged and took up some of my chair as well. . . which made for a rather squishy flight!
I got into Santo Domingo airport, and they wanted $10US for the tourist card however after explaining I had no cash and did they take visa . . i was told to move on to the passport area and they just stamped it and let me through . . so not sure what thats about but HEY i made it in hehehe

Anelys had been told that my flight was going to a be a further 10min so, we actually met outside and piled into the car with her husband and 3 girls plus of course my very overweight suitcase and the smaller one that I picked up yesterday. . . .as I checked in the girl warned me that it was very over weight but said she would let it through free of charge this time phew!!

This afternoon we hit the shops for some food, I am gaining a new respect for woman or even families that go shopping with multipul small children . . . I am enjoying it though, its been a long time since I was around children. Of course though the main difficulty is that I have no idea what Gaby the eldest or even Mia are saying hehehe Gaby has spoken some english to me as she speaks both . .but still of course its natural for her to speak spanish.
Ordering McDonalds was also an experience . . . . the girl tried to read the order back to me after Anyles had left and i had to call her back over hehehehe
I had to pack the grochery shopping myself as the boy who was supposed to do it was on break or something . . . . its been awhile since having to pack a weeks shopping myself.

I can't comment on the Country yet as I haven't seen enough or experianced enough yet so you will have to wait.

So I think thats it for today, my mobile/cell phone doesn't work over here so emails it will be . . .I will try and suss out a phone card tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will be attempting to drive . . . .now imagine malaysia traffic or something semi similar to Bali but of course driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road and that will be me . . . . . so fingers crossed for us all!!!

Its 9.48pm here and I need a shower and bed I think . . . deff a shower . . .I finished my book on the plane and don't have another one so i might read my Cuba guide and get prepared.

I am pleased to anounce that my luggage load has decreased as many parcels and things were only coming as far as here wooohooooo *my cupcake stand made it as well all in one pc*

Hoping work wasn't too hard for you guys after the Easter break.

Love to All
Cara

More pics NY

1. M&M world

2. My lunch today Dad I knew you would want to see and be proud of me for having one from a street vendor

3. Tracy times square at night ( i have a vid i took too when i can format it right)

Last day in NY Monday

Wow what a day again I fit a lot into it!

Started off with a walk across brooklyn bridge well that was after walking to brooklyn bridge from where i got off the subway, I then walked back along the Manhatten Bridge. Which got me to China Town . . . what better place to have a foot and back massage :-)
Managed I think to go through Soho and ummmm sorry its slipped my mind . . . . caught the subway to Madason Sq Gardens.

I got to a Museum . . . . OKAY well not one I should advertise but hey it was there and I didn't have enough time to get to any of the others . . . so the Museum of Sex it was hehehehe now it was actually quiet interesting which some odd but some very interesting displays.

From there it was time to start my list of shopping and things i had to get for the Party . . . a bit of a run around looking for a grochery store here . . finally got one, picked up my laundry then off to Queens near flushing for a cake store i had found online . . i was looking for something to put ontop of the cupcakes (didn't find what i wanted), picked up a little suitcase for my extra things hehehe

Now its time to organise my shuttle, and repack all my things . . .and early morning for me.

NOW - MY MOBILE WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK UNTIL I GET BACK INTO THE US which isn't until not next monday the FOLLOWING Monday i will check what date and let you know on tomorrow's blog . . . .if i am lucky enough Anelys will allow me to use her PC hehehe

So I bid you all a good night/day as I head off to pack aaahhhh

I have attached a few pics just to show you that I am here!!!

Love to All
Cara

Easter Sunday . . . Ahhhh too many people!!

G'day

On my walk to the Subway to start my day today I noticed a thing that does time and temp and in degrees c, Just to let you all know it was a toasty 2 degree's with a max of 8 today!!! You could really feel it was a bit chilly . . . my hands were frozen even with my gloves on.

That said I had another fun, jam packed day today which involved a lot of people and lining up for things . . .which as most of you know is not my strong point hehehe

Okay I am trying to remember what I did actually see and do today . . . . hmmmmm oh thats right okay. . .
I caught the Staten Island Ferry and took many pics of the statue of Liberty, got back to the mainland and walked around Battery Park and saw more squirells i love them they are so cute.
From there I just followed the masses that seemed to be doing the same walk as me, next stop was wall street, Trinity Church . . . then the next part was a bit sadder, I went to the Twin tower site, I chose not to do a tour or anything like that I found it all a bit overwhelming. I then stoped in at St Pauls church which was the one around the corner from the site . . . . where people were leaving memmorial bits and it also had the volunteers station so food, cots, massages, counsellors ect . . inside now they have very moving pictures and things set up about it all, i did shed a tear or two and actually had to walk out with out seeing it all.
From there on to City Hall which was a bit of a disapointment as you can't get very close to it or anything, so I snaped some pics and moved on . . .Brooklyn bridge is right there with heaps of people walking over but I needed water and hadn't eaten yet.
Had lunch at Ruby Tuesday, then onto the lines and waiting of the Empire State building . . . I swear it is set up as some kind of test of patience as you go through one line . . . there is another around the corner, and it doesn't stop when you have gone up cause then there are lines to come down hehehe aaahhhhh I did enjoy the view though and took many pics which I might try uploading maybe tomorrow.

I finally made it to have a proper look at Times Square which was just a meca (maybe right word) of people, lights, cars and I enjoyed it ...the M&M store was my fav, 3 levels of m&m merchandise plus m&m's . . . HEY it is Easter Sunday!!!!
I got a ticket to Legally Blonde the Musical at a main Theatre on Broadway . . . I opted for that as I love the movie and thought it would be a bit of fun. . . . and it was I have just got home from seeing that :-)

Tomorrow is my last full day in NY, I have got some shopping to do to take to DR for the party . . . . . but I think I will walk the Brooklyn bridge and atleast try and get to ONE musium . . . .

I haven't got to do all the stuff that perhaps I would have liked to however I don't feel disapointed, i think i have jammed quiet a bit in . . . and next time I come back I will know my way around a bit more which will make it easier.

I will finish up now so that I can have a quick look at emails then shower and off to bed . . .my late night has caught up with me.

Love to All
Cara

Saturday - Nothing happened according to Plan

However everything happened for a reason :-)

Hi There You'all (JM you pull it off better)

I starting off my day by finding a laundry service, and alterations place ( I figure my time is precious why waste it doing laundry) I then caught a bus in search of somewhere to buy a pair of black comfy joggers . . . . this bus I got on ended up in the centre of Harlem, i was hoping to just sit on it and ride it back the other way BUT nope I had to get off and wait for another bus the driver was very nice though and droped me at the stop and told me to stay there until the number 7 came.

That bus took me right into Union Square where the last stop was right outside a huge shoe store with lots of joggers woooohooooo. The bus also went through Times Square so I got to see that at a glimps but not up close. . . . .

I walked back from Union Square to my accomodation which must be considered far causae everyone looked at me like i was crazy. On the walk though I went past the Public Library and got in before the cue :-) i saw Carnegi hall, the Rockefella centre.

It was finally time to have something to eat for the day at 2.30pm!! I went to an irish pub/restuarant and got a burger and chatted to the lady next to me who was also dining on her own and she was very helpful in letting me know how to get to Brooklyn and staton island ferry, plus other things.

I went back to my room to freshen up and caught the subway to Brooklyn . . . . low and behold I had got the wrong one and was no where near the side that I needed, so I got off and caught the one back into town . . . which went to times square where you can catch a shuttle to Grand Central Station!!

So as you can see nothing went according to plan, but it all worked out for the best as I was able to see so many things that were on my list of to do's. . .

If you are wondering I did get the right subway out to Brooklyn and got to the pub that I was after . . . chatted to some very nice people and went to a club with them. . . . . then got the subway home at 1.30ish in the morning, managed to do it right and just wallked 3 blocks home. You wouldn't believe how many people there were getting on one of them that i had to wow (really i am just a country girl in the big city).

Today's "plans" are to watch the Easter Parade, then someone told me about a good church service in New Jersey so I might check that out . . . then touristy stuff all day today, I have done all the shopping i needed to do . . . *Mum I managed to find a big enough handbag at Gap*

THanks for all the comments and Easter msg's.

Love to you all
Cara

PS. I know many of you are concerned with my shopping however I am going to leave my winter stuff in a locker at JFK when i go to the warmer countries then I have a car for a few days, I will pay for excess bagage i kind of always figured that i would be coming home. xo

Good Friday Part 2

Hey everyone!

This may not be as long as I thought it would cause they have the heat pumped up and I am dying in here!!!

I walked a zillion miles and more today . . . .had a great day though just wondering around, i bought some boot, some shoes, some jeans . . . and other little bits and pc's. Also managed to wonder around the columbia university grounds, lincoln square (opera, julliard ect)

Got a metro card and used the subway, train and some busses . . . . today (saturday) i am planning to use them a lot as my feet are KILLING me hehehe

I did manage at the end of my day to go to a Good Friday church service, though by then the jetlagg and lack of sleep had kicked in . . . so i think i snoozed a bit through it :-) oooopppppssss

The plan for today is to get to times square, after finding a laundry service and buying a bigger handbag . . . .

hmmmmm I am sure that i am missing heaps of things that i did yesterday but it was a good day, I haven't really talked to anyone much which is a bit strange for me, i mean of course i chat to the random people in shops and things. Thats a point there are so many people working in the shops and resturants . . .when i went into a shoe shop i asked for a man for a size to try on and he looked at a LIST of shop assistance to see which one was up next to help me!!

I hope you are all having a good easter break.

Love Cara

New York New York Good Friday

I AM HERE!

After a very long long long long flight I arrived in New York!!!

As I type this I am feeling tired after getting just 4.5hrs sleep last night, however I am going to maybe hit the pool and swim some laps which should wake me up a bit. I guess thats one of the perks at staying at a YMCA, there is a gym and pool that we can use.
My room is pretty basic and so small . . . after waking up freezing my little butt off I think i semi worked out how to switch on the radiator, however I will ask down at reception later how to work it properly . . . hey now before you go shaking your heads at me REMEMBER jetlag, lack of sleep and there's two things you can play around with to make it go and I am not sure what does what hehehe

So the plan for today I think is just to start exploring, I want to get some boots and a handbag . . . but other then that I am just going to see where the day takes me which is actually a really nice thought to be honest. I have picked up some brochures for a couple of card things which get you entry into things and I might go out and get one that way I think I can just hope on and off busses and into the things I want to see.

For those of you that know anything about NY I am staying in the Upper West Side so i descovered this morning . . . . in my guide book it lists a lot of things that I wanted to see such as Carnegi (spelling) hall, the museum of natural history, ummmm other stuff too.

After my swim though I think the first thing I need to do is EAT I am so hungry and no more airline food for atleast a week . . .okay 5 days. I won't be eating red meat though today as its Good Friday so . . . Pancakes for breakfast. YUM

Okay time to ring my Ma and Pa and let them know I am alive and kicking . . . . plus find out how Dad and Kurt are doing in the Tennis Tournament.

Might log on later to let you know how the day was :-)

Love Cara

New York New York

Malaysia Airport - Waiting for flight to New York

Good Morning everyone

I have arrived and checked in early for my flight, I figured it was more enjoyable to hang out at the airport with the shops and these random computers attached the the walls (I am standing up to type and the screen is at eye level)

My flight to KL was very good, despite forgetting to ask for an isle seat I managed by luck to not only have an isle seat but also one with the extra leg room!! I also lucked out on my travel companion for the trip, I sat next to some one who not only didn't snore or smell hehehe but also kept me entertained as we played the games on the screens against each other.

Low Fat meals are the way to go . . . . . hmmmm maybe except missing out on the choc or the butter for your roll, while everyone else was eating some interesting looking things I had fish with potatoe and squash yummy!!
Speaking of food I am eyeing up the burger king for some breakfast and I also need to get a bottle of water.

No Cell or Mobile coverage, so fingers crossed I do have some in NY!

ClayMel you will be entertained to discover that hot water was not a strong point at my hotel for the night :-)

JM thank you so much for my alarm, it is so handy and easy to use!

Now I think thats it for me . . . . . keep the comments up PLEASE so I know I am not writting to the little voices in my head :-P

Love Cara

D day

The suitcase is packed at weighs 22kg's . . . I can see some of you shaking your heads, but it won't get any lighter. I have a cake stand and a few other things which will come out when I get to Dominican Republic!

Last night was a nice dinner at ClayMel's with Kurt and Ash as well. . . I am going to post a couple of pics from that so that I know i can post pics hehe

Okay i should get into the shower so i can start with my day of events before i go!!!!

Love Cara

First Post - Day before I go!!!!

The suitcase is sitting in the hallway right by the front door . . . . is it packed ready to go?????
NOPE!

I have been busy running around changing money, getting my international licence, then catching up with a few people . . . .so after writing this and then emailing the link for this blog to everyone I will get on with the actual packing. hehehe

I just thought I should have a quick test to make sure i can make this work before sending everyone here to follow my travels.

Love Cara