A funny thing happened on the way to the port…

I went to Florida a day before I was scheduled to leave for my cruise. I wanted to spend time with one of my favorite cousins Lisa plus, I didn’t want the hustle and bustle of rushing to the port (remember this statement) right after flying in.

Our first plane ride together

On Saturday night we had an awesome dinner at Grand Luxe Café by the Saw Grass Mall and of course I ordered my favorite, the Cedar Planked BBQ Salmon and I even got Lisa’s husband Anthony to try it and he definitely liked it.

Lisa & Anthony

To make our dinner even better my bestie Sheree and god daughter Kennedy were able to join us since they were on vacation in Fort Lauderdale too.

She sucks her thumb!

Finally it’s the morning of our cruise!! I did what I normally do first thing in the morning and checked my phone. I opened an email from Carnival that said if you have flexible travel plans arrive at the port between 2 and 3:30pm. That was perfect since Lisa and Anthony had to go to church that morning anyway. Once they got home, Nelson and Anthony went back on the street to run a few errands then we were off to Ft. Lauderdale port.

As we were driving to the port, Lisa kept pointing out that she has never left for a cruise from the Ft. Lauderdale port. She even ran down a list of people she has taken to meet the ship and not one of them left from there either. I heard her talking the whole time but I wasn’t really paying attention to what she was saying. I was too excited, flirting, and playing googly eyes with Nelson after not seeing him for a while. Not once did I think to check the paperwork in my purse.

We pulled up to port security and the officer asked what ship we were here for. I piped up from the back seat, “Carnival Valor”. He replied, “Carnival Freedom”. Without batting an eye, I repeated,”No Carnival Valor”. I was getting annoyed at this point and basically gave the officer the check your paperwork look when I should have been checking mine. After the officer reviewed his clipboard he confirmed that the Carnival Valor was NOT leaving from Ft. Lauderdale. I finally checked my green folder and I was suppose to be at the Port of Miami!

At this point it’s after 3:10 and I’m in a total panic. I call the emergency Carnival hotline and they said the latest I could get to port and still make it on is 3:45 but here’s the kicker… the port of Miami is 40-45 mins away. I’m freaking out and almost burst in to tears at the thought of ruining Nelson’s vacation not to mention how embarrassed I am. Thank God Lisa married Anthony who must have been a Nascar driver in his former life because he got us there safely and with time to spare. Nelson thought getting there late was the best thing ever since there were no lines and getting through was a cinch. I beg to differ… I never want that type of stress and worry again.

After getting over the shock and fear of almost messing up my vacation I was able to take it all in and look forward to my 7 days of R and R!

The first full day of our ocean voyage was spent on the sea. We spent the day on the adults only Serenity deck soaking up the sun while reading and napping.

Later on that night we got all dolled up for elegant night where we enjoyed a fantastic meal

There's always a lil towel creature waiting for us at the end of the night

Rollercoaster of life

On this journey called life I've always been fortunate enough to have my brothers by my side and that thought didn't cross my mind until I was sitting in between them on the SheiKra roller-coaster at Busch Gardens. My younger brother David is terrified of coasters but of course my oldest brother forced him on as I teased him for being a punk. For most of his life, that's what Dean's role has been, telling David what to do while I provoke and laugh at him from a safe distance.

As we made our way up the incline slowly, my excitement began to escalate. I started squealing with anticipation and gave David's arm a little squeeze, hoping he was enjoying the build as much as I was. It made me think of times in my life when I just know something good is going to happen, when I get that feeling of this is it and the first person I call is him. I looked over at David and his expression read, "I don't know what you smiling for because I know what's to come." This is normally the same reaction I get when I talk to him of the "good vibe I'm getting". He's there to help me see the big picture, remind me not to get too excited, and to always hope for the best but expect the worst.

As we reached the top of the hill my stomach dropped and panic took over as the coaster made the right turn and dropped to the ground below. I turned to Dean at this point as I would often do in my real life. When things seem out of control, I'm scared and things are moving too fast, he's the one able to give me soothing words of encouragement always ready to protect me, reminding me everything in life is a lesson learned.

I'm able to enjoy every loop, roll, u-turn, flat spin and brake run this SheiKra of life has to offer me. No matter the 90 degree drop, if I'm suspended above air, or come across a surprise twist, I have my brothers by my side and that's what I need in this roller coaster we call life.

So I lied...

So I lied. I said I was going to blog everyday of my vacation but that didn't happen. In fact I'm blogging about it weeks after the fact... sue me!!

All that matter is that I had a wonderful time with my family. I got to hang out with my two crazy cousins, Lauren and Janelle and Lauren's boyfriend Calvin the Brain...lol

I was able to suffocate my nieces and nephew and I got to witness really how great my brothers are as fathers...

all while watching dolphins, touching sting rays, swimming, hanging poolside, hoping to get splashed by Shamoo, riding roller-coasters, sharing whispers with my sister in law, eating like the beast I am, and of course sipping on things that make me giggle. I even got to see one of the first friends I made when I lived in Fl, Philip. I was even lucky enough to be around when you got his acceptance phone call into nursing school (congrats again).

And how could I forget heading down to South FL to help my cousin Lisa celebrate her graduation from her Physician's Assistant program. I also got to stay in her beautiful new home. The time we spend together is never enough and I hope to see her again soon.

I can't wait until next summer to make some new memories with some of my favorite people.

Auntie heaven

It's only been a few hours with my nieces and nephews and I'm already in heaven. I can't make a move without Dylan asking where his 'Titi Nicki' went. He made the declaration, "Everywhere you go, I want to go, everything you do I want to do."

We arrived at our hotel Embassy Suites in Lake Buena Vista just in time for happy hour (free drinks between 5-7pm...holla...lol). Over my margarita and the girls' slushies, Jayda looked at me with the most serious expression and asked, "Titi Nicki do you like me?" I looked over at her at giggled a little. I responded "Of course I do."She actually looked relieved and said, "Good because I love you!"

What more could I ask for?

Orlando... over 2 years later

I landed in a place I called home for over two years today... Orlando. Stepping out into the airport evoked feelings of nostalgia. When I lived here and would return from visiting New York, sadness normally filled my heart. I often would have to hold back tears thinking back on the few days I spent in NY and all the loved ones I left behind. Now returning over 2 1/2 years later, I'm consumed with a different set of emotions. I'm excited and can't wait to see what this week holds for me. I'm looking forward to hanging out with my cousin Lauren that I became awfully close with during my time in Florida, I'll be able to spend an entire week with both brothers at the same time and most importantly I get to smother and spoil my 3 nieces and nephew rotten.

This week is a chance for me to become rejuvenated, a chance to focus on the things in life most important to me and just leave the worries of life alone... even though it's just for a week.

So all of you stuck home in these last week weeks of summer, I'm inviting you to partake in my vacation along with me. I'm going to TRY to blog as much as possible since I've been seriously slacking and I should have the time and energy to write here... but PLEASE, PLEASE don't hold your breath...lol