OMG This is sooo good!

Well...my 1st real post. I've titled this post the way I did because on my 1st trip away from my kids...I thought "I need to blog about this!" Throughout my trip I was constantly thinking of what to title my blog. I wanted to talk about EVERYTHING...my thoughts...the food I eat..I make...the people I meet and the places I've been. But most of all...I wanted to share my experiences...trials and tribulations of being a single mom and what motivates me to do better and have that blind faith that things ALWAYS work out. The stars align...the bad days are past days...and the things and the people that TRULY matter are right there by your side...EVEN if they are miles away. (Thank goodness for BBM, FB and MY5- too bad $1 JetsGo flights weren't available anymore)

ANYWAY...It all came to me when my brother and SIL (Sister In-Law) decided to de-virginize me from The Cheesecake Factory. It was happy hour...our tiny little table in the bar was overloaded by appetizers and drinks. I think the statement I made after trying Fried Macaroni and Cheese and all the other appis was "OMG This is soooo good!!" I wanted to name my blog that...things that are soooooo good, but I wanted to make it broad...inspiring...still...about things that are sooo good or make you feel so good! So I came up with JemStarr to encompass all those things.Some things we found interesting in the mall :)
(When you go the TCCF...try the Fried MacNCheese...and the guac and the Sweet Corn Tamale cakes...to die for!!)

Freshly made cream puffs...mmm

Cheesecake Factory...mmmmm

Teletubby pants...from..Disigual..??? i have no clue...

Giuliana Rancic - Hostess from E! @ Macy's

teehee...nice to know it's a NON-Sale :)

So this adventure was my 1st trip away from my kids. It was to JAgnes' wedding (John&Agnes).
It started off in Ajax, trecking through downtown Toronto to catch the Airport shuttle (which has free wi-fi) and avoid the traffic...but I made it through the harsh weather of -12c :) nothing like -37c in PegCity. When I arrived to Pearson International...I looked like this:

In a few hours I was going to be enjoying the accommodations of the Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort .

 We stayed at this beautiful hotel for only $119 per night. My sleuth of a SIL found it on our fave website HotWire.com and with Betterbiddings.com narrowed it down to one of two hotels; this one being one of them. Complete with heated pool, hot tub, poolside Tiki bar..free Wi-Fi in the lobby and Motarez...sp?

 Oh yeah....that's my girl.. :) FYI - I am not trouble *mwahahahaha*


For 3 of us to go to the nearby Aventura Mall where TCCF was, it took us 10-15 mins and the #27 bus for $5.25.

My SIL Sharon and Bro Mark walking to catch the bus :)

We thought we'd just take a cab home since we'd be carrying multiple shopping bags....ummmm yah DON'T. We were holla'd at by a cabbie near by. Once we were in, ready to go...we tell him where we're going and he decides that hmmm this isn't worth it...so he tries to bargain the fare. Have you even heard of this??? yup...he says "Is $25 ok guys?" So we got out and took the bus. So silly for a tourist spot.


On our way home we ended up guiding a group of lost Crown Plaza patrons back home :) It was nice to see smiling, good hearted people enjoying their trip. Too bad none were locals except for one super nice and chatty girl.

We enjoyed the rest of our stay visiting TCCF for a second time with a new group of people...swimming in the heated pool and some good drinks...(apparently I'm weaksauce lol).


Then we were on our way to the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas. The biggest cruise ship on the seas to this date! It was beautiful...the company was top notch..the Cruise Director - Richard Spacey was absolutely DREAMYYYYY.Not normally my type, but his humour mad him hot! :) We did the balcony which was amazing...and since we were part of a group, we did have some pretty good discounts. I have to say that mid-week I was missing the kids like crazy and could probably swim home just to see them!

Oasis of the Seas

Jenn...WELCOME! :) love this pose...

Ok...so the 1st night wasn't fantastic weather wise...BUT as Canadians we were prepared :) Unfortunately the way I looked trekking through the streets of Toronto wasn't far off from our first night on the ship.

Me and Jenn..going for our discovery walk of the Oasis.

The ship was filled with so many things to do and the port-of-calls were Labadee, Haiti - Costa Maya and Cozumel. We relaxed on a beautiful day in Haiti...highlights were definitely the weather, the cookout with Jerk chicken/pork and lots of other goodies and the Yoga on the Beach with Abeth.. :) nothing like downward dogs in the hot sun while strangers take videos and probably post on YouTube...lol Our Haiti port of call was probably the one with the best weather. Our time to chill on the beach and relax! It was beautiful! My SIL was commenting on how moments like this take your breath away and you realize "I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be here...to experience this..to witness this." It's quite humbling when you take a deep breath and realize you are one of many witnesses to God's work. It made me miss my kids..but also made me reflect on how grateful I am that they are here on this earth to touch mine and many other people's lives. Ok enough with the cheese :) Here are some pics of the beautiful day!

Labadee Haiti

Perfect weather

Sharon and I NOT ready to leave

We did Mayan ruins in Chocchoben on our Costa Maya port-of-call with an excellent guide...Manuel! Ofcourse....our group was doing Yoga poses!

  

We did XPlor Adventures in Cozumel. Probably the best bang for your buck! It included 11 Ziplines, Amphibious vehicles, underground rafts and swimming underground. It even had a huge buffet spread that was absolutely amazing. My only complaint is that we didn't have enough time. I have no pictures of the place except for the entrance. But I do have pics of the Playa Del Carmen which had sugary sand beaches...NEXT Trip! :)

Playa del Carmen...BEAUTIFUL....minus the bad weather.

 Over all...such a wonderful trip with such wonderful people. Food on a cruise is amazing...we went to a fancier sushi restaurant. (forgot the name) But here are just a few pics of the yum food.

Hotrock

Hotrock...mmm

Dessert

I highly recommend a trip like this....every few years...whatever you can afford. It's heals you...the people you're with heal you. The food heal you.

I hope you enjoyed...and use some of the tips for your trip on RC Oasis. :)

 Namaste