I ran into another blog yesterday while looking for other flight attendant blogs that I thought you may be interested in.

As a US citizen, you don’t hear much good about places like Iran. Or, at least I do not. It seems like such a scary foreign place. Lot’s of dirt and crazy radicals, limited civilized amenities and definitely not somewhere I’d ever go. Or would I?

This new blog (new for me) is called: I thought you had the map?! The title alone caught my attention. Basically, it’s four Aussie’s that blogged their way from Australia to England. Left with three choices, go through Afghanistan (no way! they say), through China (too expensive) or go through Pakistan, quickly. Apparently, the folks in India told them that Pakistan was not civilized or safe, as did their travel insurance. Not so!

They tell of their adventures including video and pictures and tell of how nice the people are in Pakistan. I wonder if they would be so nice to us or if it’s just because these are Aussie’s they were dealing with?

As far as Iran goes, I have seen some incredible photographs of the architecture and ornate details in the Iranian buildings. I hear of great work and opportunity and a friendly people.

Have you been to Iran? What were your experiences?

Save 15% on Valentine’s Cards

For all of the guys out there that have ever forgotten an anniversary, I say don’t sweat it. To all of the ladies out there that get angry when they do, get over it.

I had all kinds of plans for my anniversary, including checking out the traditional gifts for the years married and different dinner options. Then, I forgot. I had been planning since last month and yet I still forgot. I seriously cannot remember what day it is on a regular day without having to remember something that only happens once a year.

Does this mean I love him any less? No. Does it mean I have a lousy memory? Oh, yeah! Just ask anyone that really knows me.

So, with that said, Happy Anniversary dear. I love you.

2010′s upcoming production of Cinderella is soon upon us. The anticipation! I just found out that the lead roles of the Prince and Cinderella will be danced by Olgucan (Borova) pairing with Janessa (Touchet) and Anthony (Krutzcamp) paring with Kristi (Capps).   

Jaleni with the Kansas City Collegian online was certainly charmed by Olgucan and Janessa:

A duet from “Le Corsaire” was presented next. Janessa Touchet and Ogulcan Borova delivered a vigorous, energetic display that was enhanced by the color schemes of their costumes… 

Anthony and Kristi were written highly of in the Alexandra Ballet newsletter:  

Guest artist Anthony Krutzkamp possessed the perfect combination of rascal and rogue as Franz, the fickle love interest of Swanilda, who was portrayed by the thoroughly charming Kristi Capps.

If you take the time to Google these two partners names, accolade after another speak of the same strength, grace and charm that I have seen with my own eyes. The choreographers in each situation see what they want for each production and who they feel would dance it best and this is certainly true of the upcoming Cinderella. 

Do I feel that they are the only one’s that could dance these lead rolls? Not necessarily. Each dancer has their own strengths and rank certainly plays a role in each scenario. Take  Jill Marlow and Liang Fu. Both of them played lead rolls in this past December’s Nutcracker and were ever so charming.  

I will have to wait and see how the dancer’s perform next month. Come check it out with me. I am sure that the Cincinnati Ballet will not disappoint! On that note, dancers schedules are always subject to change if needed.

sounds good right about now!

Have you ever visited the site VacationsToGo? You can’t find a cheaper cruise than there. I have been notified this morning that they have negotiated with Royal Caribbean for a $150 onboard ship credit per stateroom on many worldwide cruises and $300 per stateroom on Alaskan cruises. Yes  folks, it’s time to start thinking Alaska! Okay, so that’s not the warmest. Just really really cool! Of course, the best cruise season is from May to Septmeber with the warmest times of course being June and July, however, if you are willing to go a little early the price will be your gain.

 Watch whales off the side of your boat, take in the fresh mountain air through the Inside Passage and more. Or, perhaps you prefer to check out the Caribbean and get out of this cold weather?

I am not being paid by this company for anything. Heck, they don’t even know that I exist and yet I think that they are great. The site shows you the original price, the discounted price and offers they have been able to get just for us. Check it out even if it’s just dreaming.

If you have a destination that you are interested in, just let me know and I can do the research for you!

I just spent a few days in the hospital, who knows, fine now. As I sit here at 5:22 in the morning because my schedule is so whacked out now and I feel better, I think “Let’s have a new theme”. The old one I loved with the desk and the phone I want but don’t have and the cup of coffee I could use right about now but…it’s too cluttered like my life and this one is more like the more simple one I am working on. Everything in it’s place with pretty colors and my favorite Twitter like birdie. I’ll give it a try and hope that it inspires me to get it all together.

Have a great day world!

A famous world know story, Cinderella is a love story and fairytale that we see from the time we are a little girl or boy. Over the last three decades, I have seen the  story of Cinderella used in many other movies and books, where the lead role is not always played by a woman character and not just for children either. One site that I was reading today states it as “individual elements of the story can be found in almost every culture of the world”.

We all know the movie version story of Cinderella however, since I have never seen it danced out in a ballet, I was really curious on what I will be watching next month.

When I looked up the plot for Cinderella danced out in a ballet, this is what I found on wikipedia:

Cinderella lives with her wicked stepsisters, until a beggar (who reveals herself to be a fairy) comes, and rewards Cinderella by giving her a coach and a new look. At the ball, Cinderella falls in love with the prince. She stays only until midnight, when the spell wears off. But, she leaves her slipper behind, which the prince uses to find her again. The ballet is based on Charles Perrault’s Cendrillon.

Other sites like balletmet in Columbus, the ballet too is the same as written in wikipedia however, offering a bit more detail. I am curious about this beggar that turns in the fairy Godmother and why are there then a total of 5 fairies? Another difference in the ballet is that the Prince himself returns to find his Princess, instead of sending out others to do it for him. Now, that’s true love! 

Speaking of true love…how cool would you be if you took your

girl to the ballet on Valentine’s day!?

Ballet & Beer is unfortunately already sold out however, you are welcome to show up and hope that someone who requested a spot is unable to make it! That is on February 5th, 2010 at 5:15pm. Ballet productions are on:

February 12th 8:00pm

February 13th 2:00pm (Cinderella’s Ball @2:30)

February13th  8:00pm

February 14th 2:00pm (Cinderella’s Ball @12:30)

For those of you with your very own Prince or Princess, the Cincinnati Ballet cordially invites you to the Cinderella’s Ball 2010! On both Saturday and Sunday, February 13th and February 14th, children dressed in their finest attire (not required but preferred) with enjoy dance, crafts and fairy tale fun before the ballet at 2:00pm. A light lunch and delicate treats will also be served. The fun begins at 12:30. Don’t forget your ticket for the ball available when you purchase you ballet tickets for only $35.00.

I have been on leave for a couple of weeks now after having knee surgery. My therapist is so impressed with how quickly I am recovering. Possibly in part because this one was a revision and not a full revision and partially because I do not want to miss the overnight in Cancun next month assuming that I get it. When I told the therapist that I needed to get back to work by the 15th, to which he replied “I don’t expect you to get back to work by March”. What!? If I am awarded Cancun and miss it, I will be oh so upset. I don’t even care that it’s only 11 hours on the ground.

It’s Cancun!  As long as I do not get swine flu.

I cannot actually remember how I ran across her blog and I have to admit that for a while there I didn’t even know what a SAHM was! I why is she obnoxious, I read a couple of blog posts and then found her on Twitter and immediately followed her. I find her tweets to be funny and her thoughts on children the same as my own, just a little sarcastic but loyal and loving all at the same time.

I have noticed that the blog is morphing every day and becoming more sustance to me. Oh yeah, I now know that the SAHM are initials for Stay At Home Mom. This instills even more respect from me because I do not feel that I would have the patience and that these parents are angels. I have never hidden the fact that I use my job as an esape although I too love it when my husband and son come along for the ride.

This past weekend, I was having a particularly hard time with my feelings (due to coming off an anti-depressant) and was not only taking it out on myself but my family and possibly my poor computer! From a Christian woman that I have never met in person, I was able to find comfort in a reaffimation of God’s love that was lost in the flood and for that I am forever greatful.

Thank you Donna.

Please make sure to check her out at http://theobnoxioussahm.blogspot.com/, follow her on Twitter and befriend her on Facebook (Donna Foute) if this is the type of person you would like to have on your side.

I was sitting in row 37 that day on an aircraft that they call the MD88. (The MD stands for the McDonnell Douglas). The woman sitting next to me offered some earplugs and I am very glad that I didn’t not turn down the offer. As we started at the stripes of white and down the active runway, the winding began to grow. During the flight, I did not even attempt to talk to the woman who obviously knew better as she sat and read a book. The engines had a loud roar that thundered through my head like no drum I could ever imagine. At some point during the decent, the variable changes in the engine switched back and forth from ear to ear like a songs instruments tease sounding as if coming from different sides of the room. Back and forth, back and forth. The vibrato of the humming shakes my entire body with the depth of the sound making my stomach churn. Physical pain. I cannot wait for the flight to be over.

Memories of holding my frightened child in my arms flooded back into my mind during the flight as I swear I would never fly on this aircraft again. Unfortunately due to my career, I have no choice although I hope I never have to sit by the engines again. The seat guru claims to know the best seats on each aircraft however, I am a little concerned when he shows 5 seats over the wings as good seats!

What I see outside of my window does not instill any further confidence in my mind as I see dirt and what looks like blood smeared across each massive piece of metal. Cracks like an old painting from decades ago and green primer. Luckily, I know that the paint job has nothing to do with the integrity of the performance. I still have no desire to fly on here anytime soon.