Cruisen with my Homies, Part Dos

Here is the second set of pictures from my trip. They are a little out of order from the stops we made. We first went to Cabo San Lucas, then to Mazatlan and our last stop was to Puerto Vallarta.

We took a boat ride tour to a private island in Puerto Vallarta. I guess it is called Caletas??? If you speak Spanish, maybe you can tell me. This was the nicest place ever! It seriously was like a set from a movie. It used to be owned by a movie director and it was his own private island. He opened it up to the public a few years ago. It was so relaxing and there were many things to do there. We were first served a very authentic meal, walked around the island, where we saw a gecko, monkey and birds, laid out, went snorkeling, laid out again then enjoyed the best massage. Up above the little island were small tiki huts secluded for massage therapy. I got a 1/2 hour massage and the whole time could hear the waves crashing and the birds chirping. It was such an amazing environment. It was a great experience.

I loved the bathrooms at this place. This happens to be a men's bathroom, but they are all individual little huts.

On our boat ride back. My hair is wet and massage oily, but I'm relaxed with my pina colada!

Our last shopping stop in Puerto Vallarta. This was my favorite little shopping center. Look to the left, top corner and you will see Mexican Wrestler Masks. I searched everywhere for the Nacho Libre mask for my brother. The people here were fun to shop and barter with. I got the mask! Now my brother just needs to get some stretchy pants and he has a great costume.

Another "formal night" dinner.

Standing by a fertility goddess in Cabo San Lucas on the city tour.

We had lunch here before we went to the beach in Cabo San Lucas.

Karrie and I got a little action from Senior Frog in Mazatlan.

The Old Mazatlan Market sells everything to souvenirs to every part of the pig.

Standing outside of a beautiful church in Mazaltan.

Cruisen with my Homies, Part Uno

Hola Amigos! Here are a few pictures of my trip to Mexico. It was a fun trip with wonderful weather. This trip came at the most perfect time!! I really needed a "vacation from my problems" (What About Bob, anyone???) and laying out in the sun with no worries was just what I needed. Add a couple of pina coladas and an all you can eat buffet and I was in heaven. Not to mention complimentary room service, midnight buffets, 5 course dinners every night and much more. What a great escape from the daily routines! I went on the cruise with my roommate, Karrie and her family. Suzy Bramwell and I tagged along with their family. They are great fun to be around!

Our first stop was in Cabo San Lucas. We went on a city tour which ended at a beach for a couple of hours before going back to the boat. I have to say, Cabo wasn't my favorite place, but the water was the best out of all three stops.

Our Dawn Princess ship from afar.

This was one of our "formal nights". I left the prom dresses at home, but there were some who brought them and were living it up.

Mocktails, anyone?

Muy Bueno!

We are thinking about having this enlarged and framed above the fireplace so it's the first thing you see when you walk into the condo. If not that, then it could be our Christmas card so keep your eyes open in your mailboxes. (I am seriously joking here!!)

Here is one of the million pictures they take of you when you get on and off of the boat. We got a free one so we chose this one. They are so flippen expensive!

What happened to September???

It's been awhile since my last post. Life has been busy, busy, busy and I haven't been home since around Labor Day. I just got back from a cruise to Mexico (I will post that next) and before that, I watched a 15 year old family friend while her parents were in Europe for three weeks. Living with five pets (dog, cats, SNAKES), a house to clean, dinner to cook, a homecoming to shop for, drama with homecoming dresses, etc.....the three weeks went by very fast. I haven't been home since September and I can't believe October is almost over. I hope now that I'm home and life is getting settled, I'll be able to keep up with my posting. So, let me get you caught up starting with picture of the Evergreen State Fair from Labor Day!

My roommate Karrie and me eating JUMBO corn dogs!

This is one of my favorite treats at the fair! Pina Colada with chocolate dripped on the inside of the cup. Yummy! It got me in the mood for the cruise to Mexico!

With my friend, Lisa Low.

Karrie Pelton and Lisa Low at the Rodeo! Yeehaw!

Back to School

It's that time again! This is the first time in three years that I am calm on the night before the first day of school. It is weird knowing that I won't be meeting my students tomorrow. One of my traditions before the first day of school was to watch the movie, Billy Madison. I watched it just for the part with him waiting for the bus and singing. I couldn't start the year without it. I would sing it in my head during the entire drive to school. For those of you going back to school or are sending children off....enjoy a little song on me. Hope this year is full of delicious snack packs!

What did you do over your summer vacation?

Tomorrow's a day away.....

It has taken me a little while to update what has been happening with the Life of Fife. The past month has been very busy with a lot of decision making and a lot of stress. It all started the week my brother came home from his mission. My whole family was in town and catching up. On the way home from a Mariner's game, my sister in law asked me how my job with the Crooks was going. I told her I really enjoyed their family and loved getting to know the kids. I was getting to a point where I was comfortable with the kids and we were really bonding and building relationships. I explained my travel and work schedule for the next few months and I realized that I wouldn't be around very much. I think it was the first time it really hit me how much time was required with the job. But even still, I was excited to go to California, possibly go to Disneyland, Lego Land, etc. I was excited to meet Ruby, their new daughter, when she arrived from China. I was excited to take Ciara and Hunter on field trips during the days when school started. I didn't think much of it until I got an e-mail from Jennifer that night.

What timing! Jennifer was checking in on how everything was going with the job. We both thought everything was going well, but her old babysitter had called and was looking for a job and said she would absolutely love to have mine if it wasn't working out. This made me start thinking....fast! Maybe I was getting a little hesitant about the time commitment for a reason. After talking to Mike and Jennifer, I felt this strong impression that I should give their old babysitter the job. It sounded perfect for her. I knew I would miss the kids and working with Mike and Jennifer, but I think after time, I would miss being home and being with my family and friends throughout the year. The whole decision making happened so incredibly fast but yet, so easily. It felt right for everyone. The word on every one's lips was WEIRD. Within a couple of days, the Crooks had a new nanny and I didn't have a job or a car. I still worked for the Crooks for two more weeks which included a nice trip to Langley, British Columbia. A few days after coming home from Langley, my dad and I found a nice little car online in Portland. A little granny owned it and only drove it to the library and the golf course so it was a great deal. My dad picked it up and will drive it to Seattle in a week. It will be nice to see my new set of wheels. The granny had some style. :) I feel blessed to have that work out as easy as it was. My dad even knew the lady's nephew. They went to high school together. WEIRD.

After I talked to the Crooks about leaving, I worked hard and fast to get teaching applications out to districts. I knew everything would work out, I just didn't know how. I contacted everyone I knew and networked, networked, networked. I knew my chances of getting a job were slim since school was starting in a couple of weeks. As of now, I still don't have a teaching job but I still feel like everything will be ok. I had a couple of interview opportunities. They were great practice but they didn't feel right. I know the perfect job is out there for me and I may end up subbing for awhile until I find it. I'm ok with that. I know I have made the right decisions in my life over the past few months and I'm being led to something amazing. Maybe at the end of this path will be my Mr. Right?? It could happen. :)

For now, thank you to everyone who has been so supportive during this time. So many of you have written letters of recommendation, filled out forms, sent cards, called to check in, etc. I am so blessed to have great friends and family who truly care. One of my favorite things I did with the Crooks kids was sing along with the Annie soundtrack. They were the cutest things!!! I have their voices in my head singing away..."The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun! Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow, you're always a day a way." I'll keep you updated with what's in store for my tomorrow.

Trailer Sweet Trailer

If you were wondering where I lived when I was on the road....wonder no more. Here are a few pictures of my home away from home. I lived in the smaller trailer with Catherine. It was fun living with a 14 year old. She made made me realize how old I really am, but taught me how to fit in with the teenagers these days. She was a great roommate and we got along very well.

Here's Holly posing outside my trailer.

My Bedroom. The closet is to the left of the bed.

This is looking from my bedroom to the rest of the trailer. Straight ahead is the bathroom. The front door is to the left. I was set up to cook, but I mainly used the microwave.

This is the Crooks' RV. It is really like a small apartment on wheels. It is very nice with a lot of room and storage for everyone. They set up a play area between the two trailers for the kids to play outside.

I am standing in the master bedroom looking at the living area. The door by the TV leads to the kids room. It is set up very nice and it was comfortable being there most of the day with all of the kids. They have a lot of toys and art supplies to keep us busy. I tried to get out of the RV once a day with the kids either going swimming, to the zoo, park, to a movie, bookstore, etc. I did more cooking here since it was set up very well and easy to do. I was hesitant at first to light the stove and oven with a match, but after my eyebrows stayed on, I gained confidence.