Don’t Be Discouraged – Always Look Forward

In life when were going through life, a lot of people if not all people want to be a number of things when they grow up, they have ambitions, dreams, and talents. Everyone has different skills, needs, qualities, potential, and personal goals to attain and fulfill in life. Unfortunately some do not get to enjoy, fulfill and succeed in life because their lives were cut short and its a terrible thing.  Everyone has great qualities about themselves, and sometimes some peoples progress, and going to the next step takes a lot longer than others, but never be and let others discourage on how slow a progress you are making. At least you have continual progress that is not stopping and you are trying your best and doing your best. Always look forward in life. I know things in life happen without you least expecting it, traumatic and tragic things can happen in ones life, but never let that be a discouragement . The sign of failure means that you are trying. Nobody is a failure. You might fail at doing somethings, but never make that into a weakness. Make it something that you can work on more harder and if at first you do not succeed, try it again and again. Never stop. Failure means success in the long run. Just remember that.

Remember if people are trying to bring you down, that only means you are above them and if people are spending so much time talking about you, talking to you, talking about your weaknesses, putting you lower, and not trying anything to put your spirits up, and not encouraging you that means that they are not true friends at all, that means that they are only trying to hide their failures and flaws about them and not sharing it. In the end everyone has their own pace, their own time to learn, to grow, to experiment, to experience and to succeed. You can do anything you put your mind to, and never be discouraged. Things always happen and come up in life, but never lose sight of your dreams and all the plans you look forward to in the future. It is always great to make plans while you are living day to day.

Never lose yourself, don’t listen to negative people, don’t ever let anybody always try to find faults and things wrong about you, do not give anybody the satisfaction of pessimism. Be optimistic, be ambitious, keep dreaming, keep working on attaining your goals. It might take longer than others but hey at least you are getting there, at least your not stopping for anybody or anything. It is the worst thing you can do for yourself is to let others walk all over you and to mess with you. Never do that. Before others judge, and say things to you out of turn or give you advice, but the wrong type, let them look at themselves in the mirror, let them focus on themselves before pointing fingers, and being judgmental. In my previous blog, I was talking about being strong, and surround yourself with positive and great people who will encourage you, who will lift you up.

encouraging, confidence boosters, kind, nice, sweet, positivity, optimism these are the things you should surround yourself with, and never let anyone tell you, you cannot do it, because you can do it. Everything is possible in life, but unfortunately satisfying everyone is just the only impossible thing in the world. In the end you know who you are, you know what you are capable of, you know your limitations, you know yourself the best, you are your individual person. Keep your head up high, lift yourself up, and never sell yourself short and put yourself down. Keep smiling, and all the very best to you. Lastly, Do not ever be discouraged!

Not Everyone Will Be Your Friend, Find Ones That Will Be

Out of everything I have been through in my life, and trying to make sense of who are my true friends or not and among everything else, It is a hard thing to for some to make sense of it all. In life you will encounter so many different types of people and you will meet all sorts of people, but not everyone will be your friend. You just talk to people, not knowing their name or where they come from. It happens in spontaneous moments when your out in public, when you are traveling and people in school, work, or other places. Some people come into your life for a few minutes, you will meet and talk to someone for an hour or half an hour or whatever the case maybe, and then you part your ways. Its happened to me a lot and it is pretty cool that way too. You talk to someone and then you never see them again, but I remember once talking to someone at a coffee shop and then I saw that same person again 3 weeks later. We ended up coming in at the same time. I am a person who never forgets faces and who never forgets whom I have spoken with in person. She remembered me too. We had a few minutes conversation and that was it, and we parted our ways. We haven’t seen each other since, but maybe we will again. It is incredible how things happen in such a way where people who can relate to things end up meeting and talking, bu then never really become friends. I love spontaneity and things that just happen without planning. I feel that is one of the best ways to go.

You sort of have a gut instinct in you when the time is right and when the person is right to make friends with them. People have this feeling all the time when a person is right to ask their name and have a friendship with them. It has happened to me. I remember many times at my Armenian community center or when I am on my travels somewhere, you automatically feel, that person is appealing and you take a look in someones eyes and you see fake or real, and when you can really understand each other and relate, that is the type of friends you need. When you can relate to each other and when you can be there for each other in good times and in the bad, when you can have many things in common, share each others feelings, confide into each other. It the best type of friendships to have. Not so much the quantity of friends, but the quality of the relationship you have with your best friend or your closest friends. Its one special thing you all have in common together that nobody else will really understand your inside jokes, your humorous personalities, your outlook on life, the common interests, and finding a solid foundation to build your trust among your friends. it is always a good idea to really analyze and to really get to know people before you really jump into friendships quickly. Give it time to become best friends, or very close friends.

The worst thing you can do to someone is replace them, and feeling replaced by others and tossed to the side. Some people find good friends for a year or 2 or 3, and then you become an old part of their life, so then they jump into new friendships and toss you like yesterdays newspaper in the recycling bin. That is how I feel sometimes and it is not a good feeling. Find someone who will be by your side to understand you and your feelings and who will stay friends with you forever and ever and not leave your side after a year to 3 years of friendship. It is a crummy thing you can do to someone and that is not a good trait. Unless that person is not who you thought you knew and if things happen that are not good, then that is okay, but when you know you have not done anything to hurt someone and when you know you haven’t ever said a mean thing to that person or people, and get shafted, it is not a good thing. People need to realize that doing this is not good.

Be faithful and loyal with friendship, that will strengthen yourself and good habits will always be remembered. Do yourself a favour and choose friends wisely who will go to the ends of the earth for you and then naturally people will help each other and everything will fall into place. Just believe and do it. All the best in everything.

I Love Being Called A Human GPS – I Only Learn Once

One day almost 12 years ago when I turned 16, I remember passing my written computer driver exam to get my first License, in Ontario it is called the G1, Graduated licensing system that Ontario put into place, and I got out of the driver examination office excited and jumping around saying I passed I passed, it was a great experience. Not even a week later I started driving around and learning from my Dad, then I went to driving school, then I obtained the G2 license. After that I started driving on my own without supervision, and it was so incredible, and I started going to places and remembering where I am going and all it took is once for me to drive somewhere and I learned it very quickly. My dad and so many others say you have a gift of being strong and recognizing directions. In the last few years, I have been called the Human GPS (Global Positioning System), and that made me feel incredible to know that people trust in me in directions. I go to a place once and I am all set. The first time I need help to get somewhere, so I resort to my GPS, but then the second, third, forth time I go, I don’t need it anymore. I also love explaining directions in detail and they love it.

It is one thing to be a passenger and one thing to be driver. I have always observed even when I am a passenger and I learned a lot quicker, but when you get to really drive, its a lot more different because your the controller of the car, steering, brakes, and everything and people trust in you to make the right judgements when changing lanes, which way to go and often times your passengers sometimes tell you where to go if your dropping someone off at home or somewhere else, and among so many things, and its really important to observe always and remember where you go. Exercise your brain and always be aware of where you are. I always do and I have success always. I remember taking a friend home once and picking her up, she explained to me once how to get there, and now I don’t need to have a GPS Anymore. I love driving and I love driving responsibly.

When I got my full license called the G license 4 almost 5 years ago, I started to develop that special drivers eye, and started developing more skills in driving, and being more experienced. As I got all that experience, I started making long trips, and gaining confidence in myself to park, to reverse park and more. It feels amazing to know that people trust in me to give directions and no one has been lost. I feel like a Human Onstar and Navigation Voice in cars. I remember one time when I was heading to Montreal many years ago, believe it or not, I memorized all the exits, towns and cities all the way to Montreal from Toronto, and people were amazed at the names I was giving out during a conversation with someone who was going to Montreal and I gave it in the right order, not scrambling it all up. It felt incredible.

I cannot even begin how much I love being called a Human GPS. It feels great. If you want to know how to keep your memory and how to get somewhere without being lost the second or third time, just always remember the surroundings, a certain building around, a store name, an intersection, remembering the left, rights, straights, All very important and create a photographic memory in your mind, and just observe very closely. Then you too will become a Human GPS. Sometimes people go somewhere 10 times and don’t remember. Take extra time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. It always works for me. I love it.

All the best to you all! Be safe on the roads and focus while driving.

Anyone Remember Super Mario Bros. Nintendo Games?

Lately I have been having the urge to bring out my old Nintendo Game Console along with my Super Mario Bros’ Games and play them like old times. I remember when I used to know all the secrets to the game and I used to use the Game Genie to play Super Mario Bros’ 3, I knew all the tips and tricks on how to get through the levels all the way to world 8. I remember I used to play with my Brother. I rarely got the chance to be Mario because I am the younger sibling so I always was stuck with Luigi playing some of the games. Super Mario 1, I also played Duck Hunt too. It was such a fun game and I remember I was a pro at it. Probably now if I play it, I will be a little rusty and I won’t know what to do on some parts, but I used to play enough that I should still remember it. I liked the Mushroom and the 1ups the most. The stars were fun too, along with the leaf. The First 3 Mario Bros’ were the best. I didn’t like Mario on Nintendo 64 or any other gaming Console. The first Nintendo was the best. Then when the game didn’t work, we had to blow warm air into the game cartridge so it worked. I am a huge fan of that gaming console. I really don’t like the ones that are out now. I am not a huge fan of them.

Original Nintendo, nothing beats it. I remember I used to play that game with my cousins, friends and we used to have hours of fun with it. Our game was Mario Bros’ most of the time. Konami games too. What was your favourite Nintendo Game? Did you enjoy Super Mario Bros’ too? Did you own a Nintendo before? What are your favourite memories when you played it? I think people still play it to this day and I know a lot of people who have kept their Nintendo. It is a collectors item now and a classic. It would be crazy to give that away. I am having the urge to play it today. I maybe will later on. Hopefully if time permits me to do so. I remember I used to have so many whistles. I used them all up to go to the world 8 on Super Mario 3. I once played all the levels without using the whistle. It is more fun that way. I remember the ones with the aquarium and fish levels. That was so cute with the different types of fish in there, but you had to get away from them and head to the finish line before time was up.

I know Gaming Consoles have evolved so much since then, but nothing beats the Original Nintendo no matter what anybody says. Those were the days. I like Original things, and I appreciate the way things were made before. I felt the quality even though we had to blow into the game cartridge, but that was half the fun. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I would love to see the Original Nintendo come back as it was so popular before. Nothing beats the 80′s and 90′s of Gaming. Would love to hear about your memories.

Love Being Called A Human GPS – I Only Learn Once

One day almost 12 years ago when I turned 16, I remember passing my written computer driver exam to get my first License, in Ontario it is called the G1, Graduated licensing system that Ontario put into place, and I got out of the driver examination office excited and jumping around saying I passed I passed, it was a great experience. Not even a week later I started driving around and learning from my Dad, then I went to driving school, then I obtained the G2 license. After that I started driving on my own without supervision, and it was so incredible, and I started going to places and remembering where I am going and all it took is once for me to drive somewhere and I learned it very quickly. My dad and so many others say you have a gift of being strong and recognizing directions. In the last few years, I have been called the Human GPS (Global Positioning System), and that made me feel incredible to know that people trust in me in directions. I go to a place once and I am all set. The first time I need help to get somewhere, so I resort to my GPS, but then the second, third, forth time I go, I don’t need it anymore. I also love explaining directions in detail and they love it.

It is one thing to be a passenger and one thing to be driver. I have always observed even when I am a passenger and I learned a lot quicker, but when you get to really drive, its a lot more different because your the controller of the car, steering, brakes, and everything and people trust in you to make the right judgements when changing lanes, which way to go and often times your passengers sometimes tell you where to go if your dropping someone off at home or somewhere else, and among so many things, and its really important to observe always and remember where you go. Exercise your brain and always be aware of where you are. I always do and I have success always. I remember taking a friend home once and picking her up, she explained to me once how to get there, and now I don’t need to have a GPS Anymore. I love driving and I love driving responsibly.

When I got my full license called the G license 4 almost 5 years ago, I started to develop that special drivers eye, and started developing more skills in driving, and being more experienced. As I got all that experience, I started making long trips, and gaining confidence in myself to park, to reverse park and more. It feels amazing to know that people trust in me to give directions and no one has been lost. I feel like a Human Onstar and Navigation Voice in cars. I remember one time when I was heading to Montreal many years ago, believe it or not, I memorized all the exits, towns and cities all the way to Montreal from Toronto, and people were amazed at the names I was giving out during a conversation with someone who was going to Montreal and I gave it in the right order, not scrambling it all up. It felt incredible.

I cannot even begin how much I love being called a Human GPS. It feels great. If you want to know how to keep your memory and how to get somewhere without being lost the second or third time, just always remember the surroundings, a certain building around, a store name, an intersection, remembering the left, rights, straights, All very important and create a photographic memory in your mind, and just observe very closely. Then you too will become a Human GPS. Sometimes people go somewhere 10 times and don’t remember. Take extra time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. It always works for me. I love it.

All the best to you all! Be safe on the roads and focus while driving.

Nothing Beats The Classic Nintendo Gaming System Back in The Day – Mario Bros – Super Mario and More…

In this day in age, some people only know about The XBOX 360, Playstation’s, and WII, and among other gaming consoles now, but in my opinion and in my era, the Classic Nintendo was the best. I know a lot of people who still play classic nintendo. My favourite games were Mario Brothers, Super Mario 1-3, Duck Hunt, Rivercity Ransom, Elevator Action, Dragon Fire, Konami Games, Olympic Games, Dr. Mario, Blades of Steel and among other games that I truly loved to play for hours with my brother and cousins. Since I was the younger sibling and when I used to play with my brother, I used to be Luigi because I was the younger and I would get so mad because I am playing last hahaha. So today I remembered those days and how fun it was with playing classic video games. I don’t know if Nintendo players remember how some games did not work well until you blew into the gaming cartridge. Now that was one of the many happy moments, and I am sure a lot of people can relate. I still see people wearing belt buckles and t-shirts of classic Nintendo and among the Mario, Luigi, and other characters like Goomba, Yoshi, and everything else. I still see them in specialty stores that have t-shirts, key chains, and among other items. Its so funny whenever I see them, I think of the memories I had when I was a child.

Several weeks ago, I was at a restaurant with my friends, just enjoying a night out with each other, and I saw our waiter with a Mario Mushroom belt buckle, and at this time I didn’t really say anything, and then he came back and we talked about his belt buckle, then when he went away to a table across from ours, I said hey, when you eat the mushroom it gets bigger. The guy started to laugh, then I realized why he was laughing, turned red like a tomato and he totally misinterpreted what I was saying. He thought about something else, rather than the game on what happens to Mario after he eat the mushroom. I am sure you can figure out what that is LOL. It was so funny. The guy said I will always remember that when I wear this now. Hes like I had never had anyone tell me that before. The belt buckle was in the center and he thought something different. It was super funny and my friends started laughing so hard and it was hilarious. So I guess everyone misinterpreted what I was trying to say lol about that. We still laugh about it to this day and it will forever be remembered in our group.

Gotta love classic gaming consoles. Now its too much violence and too graphic. I just cannot come to terms to play these new gaming consoles and the games. Its not my cup of tea.

I Love This Time Of Year During Christmas Season

Since I was a little girl, I remember when Christmas was approaching and I would be so excited to wear different dresses and see my cousins who would come out of town and those who are in town. I remember how much fun we all had together and we still do. We had so much food cooked every year, each person would bring something, and then Santa Comes over, and sings along with us and everything. We used to go all out. I love this time of year when my family comes together and celebrate the greatness of Christmas and the bonds and memories of it all. When we had Christmas parties at my cousins house, there would be Christmas Carolers coming over and singing a few Christmas songs and then heading over to the next house wherever you would call them. It was super nice and I would look around the room to see my family and just enjoy those moments when these songs were being sung. I said I am so lucky and so thankful to God, I have a great family like them and they all have a special place in my heart, my life and beyond. I would do anything for my family. I remember Traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida for 2 weeks during Christmas and New Years. We made a road trip out of it and we drove all the way to Daytona, It was long for me at the time in 1997 because I was too young to drive, and I was so bored, I said are we there yet? LOL, but when we went down there, we went to a Christmas party and then we went to this restaurant for New Years. It was a fun time. We have also been on Some Cruise Ship vacations during that time of year. I will never forget these moments for as long as I live. In the recent years, It has become difficult to get together with family, but this year we will be celebrating altogether in one roof again and I am very happy and cannot wait. Merry Early Christmas everyone! Enjoy!

What are your traditions and memories you have had?

Childhood Memories I Miss – Watching My Favourite Cartoons

I have been thinking a lot about my childhood memories and I miss so many things about it. The years and time are going by ever so quickly and there has been a vast change in everything since then. A lot has happened since then and it makes me appreciate on what life was before, but I also appreciate now too. My Childhood had its ups and downs. Downs at School when I was bullied ever so much, and Ups as soon as I left school to carry on about my life with my family. At Lunch time I would come home, and during the weekends after My Saturday Armenian School, I would enjoy the weekend cartoons. I rarely missed episodes of my favourite cartoons and it would take my mind off of my bullies in school and everything else I would laugh so hard.

Some of my favourite cartoons were Bugs Bunny & Tweety show, Anamaniacs, Flinstones, Sailor Moon, Disney Cartoons. Beetle Juice and Inspector Gadget. These are some of the few that come to my mind right now as I used to watch them most. I miss those shows a lot. I wish these can be reruns now. I don’t see any of these on TV Anymore. I really wish they can come back. I hope they resurface again soon. I would love to relive my childhood moments and so that now I can understand these cartoons more better and laugh all over again.

Excited To Be Visiting Montreal, Quebec Again

I am so excited, that I cannot hide it. I know that is a song, but My excitement to be going to Montreal later on this month is really something I cannot keep to myself. I am excited to be seeing my friends and just getting there, traveling on my favourite highway after so many months, its going to be a great getaway, short, but sweet. I am really excited to be reliving my moments on my favourite highway and especially visiting my friends, and making more memories as I go.

Today, that is what I would like to share with you all. I will still be posting on the days I go…

 

YAY TO MONTREAL!

Life is too short. You never know what happens from one minute to the next.

Lately, I have realized that life is too short and you never know what happens from one minute to the next and I always say to my family, my friends that it is very important to keep on communicating with loved ones as much as possible, enjoy, cherish moments with people whom are part of your lives because you never know, the next day those moments to cherish with that person will no longer be. Life has so many surprises, twists, turns, obstacles, ups, downs, which is why I always say.

I always bring up the materialism subject, because not everything is about materialism in life. We can always replace items, and everything, but we can never replace our loved ones and people in our lives who have passed on and we can never replace the memories we have had with them as it will always be part of us in our lifes journey. We must always remember the good times we have with people, cherish, keep in touch as much as possible because you are here today, but gone tomorrow or your here in the morning, gone at night. Life is unpredictable and we never know what it brings us, which is why I say, enjoy life, take everything lightly, and some people always hate on others and do terrible things. I mean what for? Were all on this earth, lets live and let live and have peace and harmony in this world where we can one day tolerate each other and stop the fighting, bickering, and all these terrible things people do.

This year of 2012, has been a really terrible year so far after losing 3 of my relatives, and all of them were so special to me and all I have of them now are memories that will live on with me forever. Never stop saying I love you to loved ones, never stop saying thank you to them, and always appreciate who they are and the time spent together. Rekindle bonds that have been broken, talk about problems you have with others, solve them or else sometimes when problems are not solved we often regret it and sometimes its too late to say I am sorry. I am saying that you never know how long we have in this world and we have limited time, so we must enjoy and forget about things that don’t really matter and focus our energy on the people.

My Condolences to those who have lost loved ones. It is not easy, but always know I am here to give you a virtual hug, virtual shoulder to lean on and I am here to listen because people are important to me and they are my NUMBER ONE!

Peace and Love to all.

 

Childhood Memories Of Tweed, Ontario, Canada – North of Belleville, Ontario

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about my Childhood memories and another has sticked to me was my moments of going up to the Cottage with my family in Tweed, Ontario Canada about 15-20 minutes North of Belleville, Ontario exiting off the Highway 401 on #544 to Highway 37. Everytime the time came for us to go to the cottage, I was so excited. I would pack my bags and sometimes my mom would pack my bag and we would load up the car and drive down. It took about 2 hours to get there everytime and I enjoyed the trip so much all the time. I am a huge fan when it comes to roadtrips 10 hours or less. . I remember going fishing, boating, paddle boating, swimming and jumping off the Raft My dad and my uncles built. Sometimes it would be weeks at a time we would go and the grass was ever so tall and when the fall hit, there would be so many leaves on the ground, so I would help rake them up. It was a cute little cottage. What would really scare me when I was a kid, at night there would be Thundershowers, and very strong ones, so I would be so scared that I would hide under the covers and cover my eyes shut so I would not see it, but I am past that stage now. Anyway, I would like to tell you a bit about the Town Tweed, Ontario.

Now, Tweed, Ontario is located north east of the Province Ontario. All the time we would go to Tweed, we would stop by the IGA food market which is not called Valu Mart, and we would get some food for the weekend or however long we would be there. The town is so small and you can get everywhere within 5 minutes 10 minutes. They have North America’s Smallest Jailhouse, The Amazing Dollar Store, a Hardware store, Daisy Mart Beckers Store for convenience. I would always get Bubble Gum Ice cream or Popsicles, and snacks. There is also the Park Place motel which always makes me think of the Game Monopoly, There is a beach on the Lake Stoco, but way too weedy, but it is beautiful. Also A beer store. There is also a Bridgewater Antique Shop near the end of Tweed. There was this man people used to Call Uncle JED, so each time we used to go, we said Hey Uncle Jed, he began to know us and whenever we came to town, he greeted us and he used to give me treats when I was little. After the years went by, we decided to sell the Cottage because nodody was hardly going there anymore after people started getting older and new things were happening in our lives and we just couldn’t go to Tweed anymore which sort of Saddened me and it took a long time to get over it, but its not so bad now.  After we had sold our cottage in 2001 about a year or 2 later when I was about 18 years old, I drove by the town with my brother before we headed to a Camping trip with friends and we decided to pop by and we saw a New Tim Hortons at the end of the Town. A few things were changed. My 2 years of not being in the town does surely change and the population became a bit higher to about 2000 people.

Now on our way to the Cottage in Tweed, as soon as we saw Trenton, Ontario, I said we are getting closer and closer to Tweed. We used to stop at the Mcdonalds on the way at exit 519 on Highway 401 East. At the time there were the barbies and hot wheels happy meals. So I would get the toys. Now that Mcdonalds doesn’t exist anymore. A couple of years ago, they gutted it all out and it became a new OnRoute Service centre with Tim Hortons, Burger King, and so much more. It is now called Trenton, South. There is one just up north of the 401 Parallel to Trenton South. It was so fun just stopping there and you would see all these big 53 footer trucks, tankers, RV’s and stuff. I said wow its awesome. I began to develop a strong respect over truck drivers since that age. My dad said these guys are taking big loads of stuff to other cities and they drive for hours and hours. I love stopping at Highway 401 Service centres. I have had many experiences in them all the time. To this day, These service centres, the Highway 401, Tweed, Ontario and all these little things in life have a big place in my heart and I will never forget it. I do not want to sound weird by loving a Highway and showing my feelings toward it, but its the way I am and like I said, I am very sentimental when it comes to memories of my past and holding onto belongings that mean the world to me. If your ever in Canada, in Ontario, Tweed, Ontario is such a cute place to visit. You will need a car there of course, but its worth a visit. In My Opinion, but everyone has different ones of course.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed reading. Thank you for stopping by. Come again.

Oasis Playa Coco, Cayo Coco, Cuba — Dec 13-20, 2009 — Experiences & Stories

A week that took 61 days to officially happen just flew by like it was 10 hours. This was my 9th visit to Cuba. Cuba is a country which I have lots of respect and love for. Cuba is a unique place which I fell in love with, when I visited the first time when I was very young at Playa Giron in Matanza’s. Later I went to different cities and towns of Cuba. The flight doesn’t take long. Cuba is a very safe country, Cubans know their boundaries, they know not to bother you because the local’s law is very strict. I was at an entertainers home, and they had invited my family and I to their home for supper and a great day to learn about Cuban culture. They would feel very offended if we did not say yes to the supper. So we had supper and then we went around the village in Cienfuegos and we saw people that didn’t have much, and they have enough to survive everyday, and they are the happiest people in the world. Cuban culture is so different. Cuba is a spanish country, and people think that its the same like every other Spanish country, but they are totally wrong. It is different, people are different.
Well, anyway, this trip was all about relaxation and looking at the turquoise seas. On December 13, 2009, we departed to Cayo Coco, Cuba. We arrived at Oasis Playa Coco Resort. A resort which I fell in love with. I made many new friends from Canada and as well as England/UK areas. We all became very good friends by the week’s end. I participated a lot on stage and to my luck, I was first place many times and won 2 complimentary massages from the Resort. So I was very popular during my stay and everyone would come up to me the following day saying congratulations, and it made me feel awesome.
As the week went by so quickly, I took in the sun and the great weather as much as I could because I knew what I was in for coming back to Canada. I didn’t get much of a tan as I wanted to, because it was only a week and you can’t really do to much in a week. Next time I am thinking of going to Cuba for 2 weeks. That would make a trip worth it’s while. A week, you barely get adjusted to paradise and then back to the airport it is and back to the NORTH POLE we call CANADA.
The friendly staff, friends we made, the environment, and entertainment was spectacular. Went to the Batcave Club in Cayo Coco. It was an interesting place to be. Very unique. I really enjoyed it. I met the famous Tony Menendez. I was so excited to be in his presence. He is a very famous reggaeton/cuban singer in all of Cuba. I knew about him before arriving in Cuba. I did extensive research about the music, singers and the resort. I had 61 days to do so, so lots of time.
The food is expected to be the way it is. It is Cuba, so we cannot complain, but the fruit, the eggs, the ice cream was so fresh. We must be thankful for the food we eat, because in the world we live in, people starve everyday, so we must not complain and satisfy with what we have. In Cuba you cannot really expect much, but I was very happy. I did not come for the food, I came for the beach, sun, and relaxation and a bit of drinking of course lol.
the end of the trip, I was hoping for maybe my flight to being cancelled or delayed so I can stay in Cuba a lot longer and so I can escape the colder weather which I was about to experience again. So I wish, hoped and prayed for it, but it didn’t happen. I guess another time
Cuba is ultimately my favourite Caribbean destination and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Hopefully I will visit Cuba for the 10th time.
I will miss Alex, Alain, Pedro, Nelvis, Orlando, The guy at the beach. Waynne, Honor, Conrad, Leanne, Julie, Jackie, Rosemary, Rebecca, Kelly Anne, Elisa, Veronica, Ian, Trudi, Jeff, Jasmine, Nicky, Keith, you made my trip extra awesome and It was a pleasure meeting all of you. If I missed anybody forgive me. I hope we all see each other again soon.
Well I hope you enjoyed my story and I wish my American friends can go to Cuba, but unfortunately due to the strict laws of Cuba, they are prohibited. Thats a wrap!

I am A Very Sentimental Person & I like to Keep My Memories

Since I was a little girl, looking at my mother and the way that she kept things from when I was a baby, I automatically started to keep things on my own and I learned to become very sentimental on certain things in my life and places and the vessel’s I have traveled with in my life. When I was growing up, one of my favourite things to keep was my boarding passes and tickets from Airlines, and Cruise Ships I have sailed on, so on and so forth. I have this habit of keeping everything. I keep Napkins with the Restaurant, Airline and Cruise ship logos on it, I keep brochures, pamphlets, Candy and Chocolate Wrappers, Receipts, Post Cards, Pens, Notepads, Concert tickets, Sports Games tickets, Wedding party favours, Invitation Cards, so on and so forth.

I love being so organized and everything is documented and kept, and sometimes I take out those boxes full of these things and I just look at them and remember my times when I traveled and stuff. When I receive gifts, Christmas Cards, Birthday Cards, Notes, Letters and stuff. I have saved them all from my childhood. As I said, I am very sentimental and I value my belongings very much and I take care and respect them. Okay I am not to the point where I am a hoarder and like to keep every single little thing in my life. I am not to the level where you cannot even walk in your house with mountains of things. No way, that is so not me. I keep things, but I don’t go to that extent.

Now some of my family members outside of my home and couple of friends here and there tell me and ask my why keep all that? Why take up space? I always say to them because I like looking at them from time to time and I value and cherish where these things came from. I love to travel so much and I love to keep things from my travels. Its pretty neat to get things from other countries. I know a lot of people aren’t very sentimental and they don’t keep anything from traveling, so on and so forth, but some conversation or something can come up and you want to remember the hotel room number you were in, or your seat number in an airplane you traveled on, or when you get asked a question from your travels, you automatically know what to say or where to find those things if your loved ones ask you.

I love memories and looking at those memories. Nothing is more incredible and nicer than memories, the good ones of course.

My Road Trip To Chicago “The Windy City”

In the fall of September, 2008, 8 others and myself rented a big econo line van that seats 14 and we traveled to the Windy City for an Armenian Youth Conference for a weekend. That trip always comes to my mind quite often and how much fun we had in Northbrook Illinois at this Seminary. Now as we were on the Highway 401 West going toward the Sarnia, Ontario USA Border, we stopped at the duty free shop. I decided to get some snacks and M & M’s. So at the checkout cashier counter, the lady asked for my licence plate number of the car I was traveling with, Now I asked her why do I have to give you my licence plate number when all I am buying is M & M’s and snacks for the road to Chicago? She said we have to ask on all products that are bought from the duty free. I said Oh Ok, so I bought them and everyone bought some things, so we went back on the road and waiting at the border, then we got through the customs and we were on our way to Chicago. It was incredible.

As we were driving through the states in Michigan, we decided to stop at Kalamazoo Michigan for a bite to eat at Steak N Shake. We had an incredible lunch there, and it was so delicious. Then there was hooters across the street and so the curiousity and sudden interest sparked us into going across the street to see what hooters was all about since I or some of us had never been there or seen it, and there was the girls with the manager training these new employees of hooters. So we just watched and spoke to the manager after. So we said on our way back from Chicago back to Canada, we will stop over. So now we got back on the road and it took about another 3 hours to get to Chicago.

Now, the most awesome and exciting moment happened when I finally saw the sears tower and driving toward the Skyline of Chicago. I have always had dreams about going to Chicago someday and seeing the Tribune sign, tip top allerton, those revolving doors that I saw in the theme of the Show Perfect Strangers, and I had seen homes like the show Family Matters and Married with Children. It was so cool and  I was jumping for joy of excitement being in a city where a lot of the shows I used to watch when I was a kid was all Chicago based. Now the Show Mike and Molly made me relive those memories of My Trip.

Now as we went to downtown Chicago on Michigan ave. The girls and I decided to go to Victoria’s Secret. I had never ever been in one until I was there. It was one of the coolest places and it was two floors. So I bought a few things and I saw Heidi Klum’s big poster and I felt like I was actually talking to her. It was awesome. Now we had got there just about an hour or 2 before closing, so here is the funny thing that happened. So as I had said I watched those Chicago based shows, so I decided to do something exciting and re-inact the theme beginning of Perfect Strangers, so I saw the revolving circular door to get out from the store and there was a security guard with the big BLACK WHITE Squared Hats and Police nearby and Now I was playing around with the circular door and laughing the same time and the security and the police knew exactly what I was doing, and they said “You are trying to the Perfect Strangers theme aren’t you?” I said yes BALKI lool. It was so funny. The security actually laughed and said we get that a lot from people who come to Chicago. I said I am from Canada and I loved those Chicago based shows. He said a lot of tourists do that.

Now we were walking in downtown Chicago after our Victoria’s Secret mission and I had hoped I would see the HARPO Studios or a Glimpse of MISS OPRAH herself, but wasn’t in luck. So after about 2-3 hours of being in downtown Chicago, we went back to our van to go to the Armenian Conference we came there for. The place was about half an hour north of Chicago and I just couldn’t stop staring at the skyline until we could no longer see it and the skyline is just beautiful with all the lights, and the subways going around which are so old but really define the place. So we had made new friends from the States at this Armenian Youth Conference and It was one of the most memorable weekends of my life. I had a blast!

Now as the weekend commenced and we were all set to go back to our cities and towns, and I had a super hard time leaving Chicago and I started to cry and as we were heading toward the skyline of Chicago again, I couldn’t stop snapping photos and taking pictures of every angle and every speck of it so that I can see it in the future. I still look at those pictures and just remember. I will never forget it. Now we were following our new friends we made back to the State of Michigan. We gassed up in Indiana. There was this scary old looking area we got gas in and we were rushing to get out of there. Now as we got into the state of Michigan we stopped at Hooters for a bite to eat as we said and the Manager remembered us and he said you kept your word. We said of course. We had a delicious meal and we spent a good hour to two hours there. After we continued our journey home to Ontario, but we stopped in Ontario, and made a detour. We decided to go to BUFFALO for the day before heading back to Toronto. We had arrived to Buffalo at 5am in the Morning and so the Customs guy asked us, why were going to Buffalo, we said oh to sight see, enjoy, and the Customs guy said SIGHT SEEING IN BUFFALO? He said its the most boring place ever, what the heck is there to do sight seeing? LOL so then he let us go. So we stood in Buffalo all day and then we came back right into Canada and came home. We all had a blast. I still talk about it to this day with my family and friends.