Honduras.... +35 to -5 in one day!

My trip to Honduras was amazing, except for the fact that I went to +35 to -5 when returning home. But it was worth it. We went up to an island called Utila which is in the Caribbean. It was hot and beautiful. We went snorkelling and saw tons of fish and sting rays and coral. We went basically from the hammock to the water and back. It was totally relaxing. On the way back to the main land we stayed a couple of days in La Ceiba, where we went on a jungle tour and zip lining. It was super fun, not the hugest thrill of my life but really fun. On the jungle tour we ate termites! they actually taste like carrots! but the week in the sunshine went by way to quick, but it was worth every minute, I cannot wait to see where my next trip will be!

An Update... very late update!

Well I know it has been an incredibly long time, and I do apologize (to those who actually read this) but I have been very busy. Work and school are crazy, but this is the last week of my undergrad career.... woohoo!! PDP starts Jan. 12 and my 1/2 marathon training starts Jan. 13 so those are the two things that I am absolutely pumped about right now.

But I guess I should tell you about my trip to Toronto. A few weeks ago, I went to Toronto to visit my friends Kaitlin and Erin. THey are both fabulous and it was such a great weekend. Seeing friends is probably one of the most wonderful things. I also went to see Kaitlin's show and she was absolutely stunning as always, the dance was beautiful. It was also nice to feel some brisk weather, but let me tell you now, I am ready for some heat. 

I can't believe that I already leave on Thursday for my next trip, and I promise I will blog. But will be so quick because its only a week, but anyway who can say no to the beach and the sun for a week right? Honduras baby here I come!!

however, before HOnduras I still have an exam, so its back to the books.... adios!

Whales and Waterfalls

This past weekend I went to Victoria to visit my cousin Julia and we had the most wonderful weekend. It started with the best stir fry I have ever had from the Noodle House in China Town. We had somewhat of an early night because in the morning we went to Sombrio with Julia's boyfriend Benny and his roomate Max. Sombrio is about an hour and a half out of Victoria and it was a picture perfect day!

The waves were not that big, but perfect for me for my first time. Surprisingly I actually caught a wave and stood up, it was AMAZING!! Julia is a wonderful teacher. We surfed for a few hours and another huge highlight was that we saw grey whales. And not just any whale but a big grey whale that was only about 10-15 metres away!!! It was scary but spectacular all at the same time. After we caught a few more waves we took a break and we went on a little hike. We ended up finding a waterfall that actually felt like it was in another world. I felt that we were in a time warp experiencing something that no one else had. We had an unbelievable day:)

The rest of the weekend consisted of more great food, great coffee, beautiful walks through the park, of course some beers and wine and many laughs. 

I cannot wait to go surfing again and go back to Victoria and have another rockin' weekend with my cousin.

A Bell Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! What a weekend we had here at the Bell house. It was a wonderful holiday with the family and my cousin Jenny came up from LA to join us which was awesome and we also had a few new additions this year as well, Christina's boyfriend Kristian and Sophie's mom Helen. It was a fabulous dinner and lots of laughs. We all could not have asked for more and we were all very thankful.

I also attempted my apple pie baking again, and I must say I was pretty proud of myself! I was just happy that the whole family liked them as well, because there are some tough apple pie critics in my family. But I survived and ate way too much!!!  

The Quilt in the Making

As many of you know I have joined a quilting class and am in the process of making a quilt. I absolutely love the class and I am about half way there to the finished product. Nonetheless, I thought that I would at least update you with a little preview of what I have done so far. These are the first three blocks, and by the end of this week the last three will be done. I am excited to see it come together and of course share it you all of you.

A Wonderful Weekend at Home

This past weekend I spent cleaning, baking, quilting and out in the garden. For most of the weekend it was raining, so the cleaning and baking was well suited, but it was when the rain stop and we got a glimpse of sunshine that I made it out to Dad's garden to take some pictures of his flowers that he has worked so hard on. 

As for the baking, I made my very first apple pie, and for what it is worth, it was pretty good. I had to impress the hardest critics, my Dad and Poppa since they grew up on apple pie, baked from my Nana, but they seemed to be impressed. I know I have a long ways to go though until I can bake one like my old Nana Banana. 

Anyway I have to also inform you all that I have started a new hobbie..... Quilting! I have to give the credit to my cousin Jenny, who got me hooked. But I will try to blog my progress as I move along. I started a class, so in seven weeks you will see the end result! But for now I can show you my fabric that I have picked out. 

So, as you can see it was a busy weekend and I have finally settled in to moving home (now that I have cleaned the games room, and made it into "my space") and I think that by Christmas I will be able to look back and say that this weekend is what got me going! 

Sunny September

First week of school means that it is already time for a break....... the weekend in Point Roberts definitely was the answer. I am just lucky to have friends with cabins:) 

Six of us went down, Danielle, Spencer, Marcus, Meaghan, Marcie and me went and had a great time enjoying the sunshine and of course a few rounds of beer pong/daquiri pong as well. I could not have a had a better time or better company and i cannot wait until we do it again. 

Thank You Point Roberts!

The Month of August

Sorry that it has been a while, but August has been a little crazy! There have been a lot of catch up dinners with friends and nights out.....and don't worry work as well. But I think that it is now time to update you on the last couple of weeks. 

Probably one of my favour

ite nights out this August was with my friend Terra. We went out down town, and it was a blast. We went to Kingstons for dinner and then Rocky Mountain for dessert. As you can see, our caramel apples were delicious. There is nothing better then spending quality time with friends and I am so lucky to have one like Terra:)

For the past two weeks I have been up in Oliver (Wine Capital of Canada) coaching at a Softball Camp. I have been going up for 5 years now, and it is always a treat because the girls are great, the weather is fabulous and well there is lots of wine too! 

So here I am at one of the wineries and it was absolutely gorgeous...it was Canada's Tuscany which I loved! 

Anyway another summer has gone and it is time to go back to school and work and hope for another summer like this one, next year. 

My New Car!

Well, my trip to Europe has concluded and I have been home for a couple weeks now, but I have decided to keep up with the blog. I really enjoyed writing it and I think that it will be fun to continue with updates that occur in my daily life.
So since I have been home I have actually been up to a lot. I mean there has been the boring stuff, but I have also been away to the states and to Victoria for the long weekend, but probably the most exciting thing is that I bought a car. A 2007 Toyota Matrix! It is awesome, and for my first car I could not ask for anything more. And when I bought it, I even did the Toyota jump!

Oh, one more thing....a few Pictures from Greece

Our final Goodbye
Our last dinner with our friends from Fresno Nyrie and Laura
Julia and I rockin' our ATV!!!!
The sunset from Oia
One of the views from Oia
The Donkeys we rode...stubborn ones they were!
mmmm lunch! (my favourite Octopus!)

A little bit of blue and white.....
Con, Harry and Stef.....my favourite greek boys!
Atop Ischia the island just off the coast of Naples, where we climbed to the very top of the island to see a 360 degree view.

It's Coming to an End....

Good Morning, well it is morning here in Athens which I think makes it sometime very late at night for all of you, so I hope you all had good sleeps...I know I did. I am here in Athens now, back staying with my friends Stef and Con, and I am only here for one more night and then I begin the journey home. I fly to Frankfurt tomorrow and have about an approximate 15 hour lay over and then onward to Vancouver. If you ask me the question, "are you ready to come home," I would have to say "ugh yeah," because I have no other choice, but I know if I had more days here it would be so wonderful. But now that home is so close, I am very excited to see everyone...so you better be excited to see me....hahaha just kidding.
The last weeks of my trip have been perfect, I have met so many great new people who I know will be friends for a long time, I have seen countless things, and I have enjoyed great weather which I must add has blessed me with quite a good tan! Greece has been marvelous, Santorini truly was a vacation because all we did was lie by the pool or the beach and bomb around on ATV's. Oh, and for the first time, I rode a donkey! It was awesome, but of course I would get the stubborn one that would stop then run, then complain about anything and then would sniff other donkey's butts....it was an experience to say the least. In Santorini we did go on the day tour to the Volcano, which is the last active one in Greece, so we saw some smoke come out of it, and then we went and swam in the hotsprings that are around it. The concept was very cool, however the water smelt and tasted like sulfur because of the volcano and the water really wasn't that hot (the ones in Italy were much better) but anyway Julia and I were the first ones to swim in, so that was really fun. After we went and saw the sunset in Oia, which is the city at the top of the island where the sunsets are world famous. It was quite a sight, there were hundreds and hundreds of people all sitting on the cliff, the whole island practically was packed on all the streets to try and get a glimpse. It reminded me of a sporting event, because people were all huddled together eating snacks drinking beer and when the sun actually set the whole crowd started cheering and clapping...it was actually quite funny, I guess it's the most action they get in Santorini so its a big deal.
Our last day in Santorini we went to the Red Beach which actually is red and had a wonderful day. It was so hot, so I spent most of the day napping in the shade actually but I did manage to swim about four times as well. We also met these two girls from Fresno and we spent the whole day with them. They were staying at our hotel as well so we spent the whole evening together too. We went for dinner at the BEST Greek restaurant, which is ironic because that is actually what it is called..The BEST! and then we went to the Beach Bar. A very fun night especially since all night all we did was quote from the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which was hilarious. We even bought a cake at the 24hour bakery at the end of the night just so we could say, "oh it's a cake!" It was just too much fun.
Julia and I had to say goodbye yesterday and yes I have to admit it there were some tears, which I think was unexpected for the both of us, but together we went through so much and I just want to say that I would not have wanted to do this trip with anyone else but her and I want to thank her for everything because I had the trip of a life time and it would not be half of what it is with out her.....so Julia (I know you are going to read this) thank you and I love you so much. Be safe in Naxos and beyond!
Well I guess I should probably start wrapping up, but I just want to say my trip has been exciting, adventurous, sometimes stressful, but one of the best experiences of my life. I think it is a good thing that I am becoming a teacher so I have summers off, because there are so many places I want to see now, that I didn't see this time, and so many places that I want to come back to. So thank you all again for the messages you all sent and keeping in touch with me, it was very appreciated and I truly am very excited to see you all. so I love you and I will see you in two days.

So long Europe, until next time......

Santorini, Greece

Hello from Greece! Yes I finally made it, after two (not one, but two) 14 hour ferries. One was over from Italy and then other one was from Athens to here. We could have been here within 4 hours from Athens but the only ferry left that was in "reasonable cost" was the 14 hour one, so we made the trek. But trust me, I am on the 4 hour one back next Monday. (don't worry Mom I bought my ticket).
Anyway Greece is wonderful. When we arrived we stayed a couple of days with Bennie's friends and they showed us around. We ate traditional Greek food, which was sooooo good after only eating pizza and pasta for three weeks straight, and I think octopus is one of my new favourite dishes. We also tried Enomilo and Rakomilo (I am not sure if that is spelled right) but it is wine and honey that you take shots of back and forth. It is served hot and it was really good. It was funny, they said whatever you do, don't stand up until the end because you will feel too drunk otherwise. So I listened but I wasn't drunk at the end, so maybe it wasn't as strong as they said it was....it was more sweet then anything. But we also saw the Acropolis and the Athen's center and now we are in Santorini. We haven't done too much here except lie by the pool, then at the beach and then back at the pool. I know life is tough, but tomorrow we are renting scooters and going to explore the island. People say that we can spend the whole day just bombing around, so we will see where the wind takes us tomorrow. I think we are also going to go on this tour on an old sail boat that goes to the hotsprings and volcano and then to the Sunset in Ola, where they are famous, so I hope that works out. Santorini is quite quiet which is nice and it is not what I expected. I thought there would be more of the white and blue landscape but I think it is just where we are that it is not as much. (Don't worry I am taking lots of pictures)
It is hard to believe that I will be home in a week. It has gone by incredibly quick and sorry that I haven't done the best job at updating this blog that often, so I appreciate all of you that did read it and I can't wait to see you all to tell you everything in person. I am sure I will update you for a final time in a couple days, so until then, I hope you are enjoying the BC weather (or where ever you are) because I sure am enjoying the weather here, and I will talk to you all soon.

p.s. Thanks again Sophie for the phrases, trust me they helped....and I have learned a few more that I will tell you when I get home.

Lots of Love
Carolyn

mmm Pizza

Hello from Naples. We have been here for a couple of days now and we are actually off tomorrow to an island called Ischia, which is a small island just off the coast by Capri and the Almafi coast. It sounds absolutely beautiful and our hostel offers lots of activities, so I am very excited. Apparently there is horse back riding, snorkeling, language and cooking classes and tons more. Honestly, I am excited about the beach....it has been over a week since I have worn my bathing suit and it is about time to catch some more rays.
Naples has been really great, considering that we heard so many bad things about it. Yes, it is dirty and yuo take your life into your hands when you cross the street, but there are not as many tourists which is soooo nice, and Naples is more of an Italian city, where everyone seems a little more authentic. And of course the pizza is AMAZING! I had a pizza today that didn't even fit on my plate and it only cost 4 euros. Today we also went through the underground tunnels of Naples that used to be aquaducts in Roman times and they were used as bomb shelters during WWII. It was super cool, and there was one point to enter into the tunnel we had to go into this persons apartment and go through a trap door under their bed....i know crazy but it was something that i always wished I would find under my bed as a kid, so it was very neat. Yesterday we went to Pompeii and saw the ruins and we hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius. It was very exhausting, but definitely worth it. The view from the top was a total panoramic view of Naples adn the coast and looking down into the actual crater was amazing. It was a shorter time at the top because we had to catch our bus back, so although it was quick, worth the money. We actually met a girl from Richmond who joined us all day and today actually as well, so that was nice. Anyway we are back at the hostel now and we are chilling out, we are going to go do a night walk tonight. Julia and I have been doing a lot of our own tours, which has been very fun, and quite adventurous. We just take our travel book, our map, which I am in charge of now because Julia has left us the wrong way a few too many times now, but that is what has made it fun. But being our own tour guides has saved money and we have had a few more cultural experiences. I cannot believe that I am almost coming home, time has been so quick. But I will let you all know how Ischia goes and I will talk to you in a few. I hope everything is great at home, and I miss you all.
love you guys, ciao

ps. I forgot that I didn't tell you anything about Rome, but we did so much stuff. I will have to tell you all when I get back the actual stories, but a few highlights were, well seeing the Pope in person, couch surfing at Biagio's house and he made us dinner every night, buying an espresso maker, actually now liking espresso and obviously seeing the colosseum and the ancient forum. Like I said, so many things and we also treked across Rome and found where Julia's boyfriend Bennie's Nona lives and we rang her doorbell and visited her. She ended up making dinner for us, which was delicious, so all and all Rome was disgustingly hot, but so awesome. Ok, well I am off to tour Naples by night and eat Pistaccio gelato.....and left over Pizza!!

Italy thus far

Sorry, i forgot the pictures.......

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie Thats Amore

we have reached Italy!! We have already been to Milan, Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Certaldo (Tuscany) and now today we have arrived in Rome!!! Italy has definitely been my favourite place so far. There have been so many wonderful sights and memories and we have met so many great people. In Milan I had the best calzone I think I have ever had, I bought one and then went back and bought three more!!! That was the only real great thing about Milan, but Venice, well I can understand why it is the most romantic place in Italy. The canals were amazing and it definitely captivated me, it was so cool. But when we got to Cinque Terre, the shock factor hit me. Hillside towns tucked away on the Mediterranean coast full of colour and culture and tourists (which kinda sucked) but we found quiet places and enjoyed the locals. Actually we were there when Italy played Spain and a group of older Italian men saw that I was pretty into the game, so they invited me to sit at there table and cheer with them. It was actually awesome, because I truly felt like a local. we went crazy when it went to shootout, but too bad it didnt end in a better way, but it was still really fun. It is sooooo hot here, that i am actually looking forward to BC weather. Everyday its around 40 degrees, so yeah i am sweating a lot, but when in Rome. We just left Tuscany and I swear magic happens in Tuscany, I jsut fell in love with it. Fields of sunflowers, and vineyards and we stayed at an old Tuscan guest house which was absolutley beautiful, life just couldnt get any better....well it could, if you were all here with me....... but I gues one day! Tomorrow we are off to see the Vatican and of course watch the Final Euro cup game, gooooo Deutschland!! and yeah we are staying at this campsite right now and it is actually awesome! so i miss you all and i hope you are all well. I will try and update you all a little quicker next time, but dont worry I will have tons of storied when i get back. love you all,
ciao

hopefully these pictures turn out ok......

Hola España

Well we have made it to Spain!! Sorry that it has been a while, but I have taken on the Spanish mentality where all they say is, manaña manaña, ¨tomorrow, tomorrow¨ everything will be done tomorrow, there is no rush to do anything. It has taken me a little while to get used to it, but I thought a lot about it, as I was laying on the beach bathing in the sun.... it was wonderful.



Today Julia and I went to the Aquarium and it was awesome, the dophin show puts our Vancouver one to shame!! Yesterday was a bit of a lazy day because we didn´t go to bed until 9 am because that is the time we got home from partying! i know CRAZY but that is how thay do it here in Spain. We also have done numberous walking tours and bike tours, the bike tour through Barcelona was my favourite. Barcelona was amazing, I now understand why people fall in love with it. So much history and its architechture and people are so vibrant, and I don´t think I have been to a busier city. Right now we are with Jen and Becky from my Softball team and they are awesome. We went and watched their game and I think Jen struck almost every batter and Becky hit a grand slam.....it was just like old times. Anyway Spain has been a bit of a whirlwind, so we are looking forward to Italy. We fly to Milan on Wednesday. I will let you all know the plan, once we get there..... I also cannot wait for the FOOD!!! Speaking of food, Valencia were the originators of Paella, so it has been very delicious here. but right now I am sitting in a sweaty, sticky internet cafe that stinks, so i am sorry for cutting it a little short, but i miss you all and talk to you soon,

hasta manaña

Carolyn



ps. here are a few pictures (a variety from the places we have been)

Tschüss Deutschland!!

Hello for the final time from Germany. It has been an absolute wonderful stay. Although I have not seen a lot of Germany and it has been quite the whirlwind trip, the people that I have seen and met here have made it unforgettable. We are in Ludwigsburg staying with my friend Tom for the night and we leave tomorrow out of Stuttgart for Barcelona. I am very excited for some warmer weather because almost everyday we have had some sort of rain....today was thunder storms! 

Anyway we traveled from Dortmund to Stuttgart a couple days ago and on our way down we made it to St. Sebastion where our Nana and Grandpa were married, it was really neat and a very quaint little town. We travelled down the Rhine, saw numerous castles and through the wine country it was beautiful. It was a very long day because the night before we went to a German disco with our cousin. I have never been in a place where there has been so much smoke. Man, I think if I lived in Germany I would have to smoke because I would die quicker from second hand smoke, it is so crazy here how much people smoke. anyway it was really fun, great dancing and a good time. When we got to Stuttgart we watched the Germany Poland game and Germany won!!! so it was very exciting. I bought a Deutschland jersey so I really fitted in. tonight Tom and his roomates made us a wonderful dinner and we ate outside and then had a few drinks and it was very relaxing and nice to catch up with old and new friends. 

Germany has been a great transition for me because I arrived and instantly knew people and felt right at home. I think now more of the adventure will begin and I am very excited for it. Sorry there isn't any pictures yet but I will post them when I get to Spain. So until then, I love you all and as they say here in Germany......

Tschüss

Carolyn   xox

Hello from Germany

Well I made it!! I am here in Dortmund now staying with my third cousins, but they are so fabulous!!! Before getting here, on my day of arrival it was probably the longest day of my life. 10 hours on the plane (but i had a whole row to myself because there was 120 empty seats...i know crazy!) so that was at least good. When i got to Frankfurt I met Julia we had breakfast and then we left for Dortmund, 4 hours on the train and then we finally arrived. That night we went and saw Sex and the City in German...hilarious, but for some reason I didn't get all the humour.... but anyway I have already learned so much..........speaking german not so much, but knowing that it cost money to go to the bathroom in train stations, that as crazy as it is the Japanese people here speak German not Japanese, it sounds so funny and that wiener schitzel is officially my favourite food. Today we are going to our aunt's school to talk about Canada and then we are going to visit this small village and go on a boat and I actually don't know what else, but it is just so great being here doing what the locals do and experiencing what other people do. I love it here and I have hardly seen anything yet. But I love you all and I will keep you all posted.
So don't worry, I haven't been robbed and I am safe:)
talk to you in a few
Carolyn xox

My First Entry......

well I thought that I should say a few words before I leave the country so that when I do start making real entries I already have the hang of this blogging thing. To my surprise "blogging" is quite easy, all you do is type.....it's great:) Anyway I just wanted to let everyone know that I leave for Frankfurt on Tuesday to meet up with my cousin Julia and then our adventure begins. Please follow the blog because I am going to try and update every couple of days, so there will always be new photos and new stories. I will also try and send you all postcards, so if you haven't given me your address yet, please send it to me.
well i guess there isn't too much else to say except how excited I am, yet a little nervous but I guess that is what it is all about. I look forward to a whirlwind trip and too many memories.....it should be a great summer. See you all at the end of July!

ps. make sure you all tell me what is going on here too, I don't want to feel completely out of the loop when I get back.