December 31, 1996: Playa del Carmen

Mom and I took a tender to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and took a tour of the Tulum Ruins (Mayans) in the Yucatan Peninsula.  We had some funny Canadians on our bus. The ruins were overlooking the ocean and it was gorgeous.  Bought a Mexican blanket on our way there.   Then, we had a box lunch for the way back.  The roads were bumpy.  Took a boat over to Cozumel.  We went to meet Charlene and Kelsey at this neat bar where they have drinking contests, but it was closed to a private party.  We decided to walk around and look for a place to have a drink.  We found this neat tropical looking restaurant.  Then, we went to find a telephone to call some people.  The phones weren't working. A lady came up to me and told me about this business in which you give them the number you want to call and they dial it for you. Then, you go to this private room and talk on the phone.  It cost $2.50/minute. I called Peter, but he wasn’t home. Kelsey called Matt to check on Devon and then Charlene called Steve.



Then, we went through the shops. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, so we wore our formal gowns.

Kelsey and I went to the Stratosphere Lounge at about 10:30 p.m. We had a lot of drinks. Later, Charlene came up and joined us. The Stratosphere was all decorated for New Year’s Eve. We did the chain all around the lounge. We got party favors and hats and counted down to the New Year---1997. Both Kelsey and I were drunk. Charlene and Grandpa came by and we all hugged and danced. Then, Kelsey and I took a breather outside on the deck.  It was the best New Year’s I’ve ever had. I will never forget the fun time I had with Kelsey tonight.


I slept part of the night out on our veranda. The sound of the water was so soothing.

December 30, 1996: Key West

The ship’s first stop was in Key West, Florida. That was 150 miles from Miami and 90 miles from Havana, Cuba. Ate breakfast with Kelsey, Charlene, Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma.



Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and I took the Conch trolley tour of Key West. It was a neat little town. We were at the southernmost point in the United States. Went with Grandpa and Grandma to an aquarium and shipwreck museum. Then, Mom and I walked 10 blocks to Ernest Hemingway’s House. He used to have around 55 cats at this home that were all named after famous people such as Shakespeare. Saw where Ernest Hemingway did his writing. Kelsey and Charlene did a sailing race and their sail broke.

On our way back to the ship, we found out that the movie ‘Speed 2’ was filmed in the harbor. Also, Arnold Swarzenegger was there. Parts of the movie “True Lies” was filmed in the port of Key West where our boat was anchored. That’s the movie Pete and I watched at this parent’s house in Ann Arbor.



Kelsey and I sat up on deck to soak in the sun. Then, we went to an aerobics class at 4 p.m. Kelsey said she was proud of me for keeping up with the routine. Another guy in the class had never done aerobics so he got lost. He’s about our age.

Tonight was a formal dinner. We all looked pretty nice.  We went for the entertainment and saw some excellent Beijing acrobats.  Hung out at the Savoy nightclub.  Kelsey and I had some drinks.  The club had black and white leopard seats and floor.  Chatted with some people from Portland, Oregon.  

December 29, 1996: Miami

Mom and I stayed at Charlene’s house last night.  Kelsey met us at Charlene’s house and Steve drove us through the thick fog to Kent County International Airport.  Grandpa and Grandma Thomas stayed at a hotel on 28^th Street and met us at the airport.  We were all in line to check in our baggage and found out that our flight to Chicago was the only one cancelled.  That meant that we had to change our connecting flight from Chicago to Miami to 10:20 a.m.  Also, that worried us because our ship was set to leave at 4:30 p.m.  Anyway, we ended up getting transported by bus to the Chicago O’hare airport.  The driver missed the exit to the airport and ended up going down a one way street.  We made our connecting flight to Miami.  Kelsey and Grandma sat next to me on the plane.  Kelsey and I played some card games---speed and hearts. We were given box lunches, which I thought was so cheap for an airline.

Got to Miami and waited to be sure our luggage got there. Then, a shuttle bus took us to the boat in Fort Lauderdale. It felt so good to be in a sunny place with warm temperatures when we came from dreary weather in Michigan and Chicago. We got to the boat at 4 p.m. When we got on the boat, they were doing the emergency and lifeboat alarm.



I was quite impressed with Celebrity Cruise Line (Galaxy boat) as they thought of everything. You could access your tours and your bill right from the TV in your room. That made it handy for ordering our tours and such.
Kelsey said she liked the blond highlights better than my red highlights in my hair. We wore jeans to dinner because our luggage hadn’t arrived yet. One of the waiters was from Croatia.



We walked around the ship after dinner, which was a tradition of ours. Grandpa had always been a walker and kept in shape.

Went to the show at 8:45 where a lady from England sang. Her name was Jane McDonald.



At midnight, I went by myself to the movie ‘Nutty Professor’, starring Eddy Murphy.

December 24, 1996: Christmas Eve

I went to Sue's house to visit.  Ashley was 3 yrs old and so cute.     They always exchanged alot of gifts at Christmas. 

We had our annual Christmas Eve party with the Thomas side of the family and then went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to exchange presents.      This was Devon's first Christmas.        

December 1996: Christmas Party in Ann Arbor

I took the train home to Ann Arbor for the annual Christmas party.   The party was at Marianne and George's house.  Peter was going to come to the party, but then had some excuse for not coming. I was so disappointed.    After the party, I went with Owen and Kim to their house.  Peter came by and then I went back to his parent's house with him.  That is where we laid on the couch and had our first kiss.    I guess he made up for the disappointment of not coming to the party.    I remember driving back to George and Marianne's house and felt like I was in heaven.

December 1996: Chicago: Peter Schumacher

I had been communicating with Owen's friend, Peter Schumacher, whom I met at their wedding.     Actually, we walked down the aisle together in the wedding.    Peter invited me to go to his National Guard Christmas party in Chicago, so I stayed over night there after my mom and I did our annual shopping trip.      

Peter showed me around different places in Chicago which was pretty cool. I got to see where he was living at the University of Illinois which was off of Taylor St.

We also went to Michael Jordan's Restaurant, Billy Goats Tavern, and walked down Michigan Ave.

November 1996: Phi Chi Theta

Phi Chi Theta, a co-ed business fraternity, was a big part of my college life at Western Michigan University.  Every Sunday evening, we dressed in suits for our professional business meetings.  We all had planners to keep track of our schedules.   This helped prepare us for the business world.      I had a little sister, Beverly Richardson one semester and then Steve Pagorek another semester.  Both of them were voted the President of their pledge classes.   

Nina Ganesh, Tammy Hubek, Tamara Ohs, Scott Gilbert, Kristi Bush, Robyn List were my closest friends in the group.

We had several fundraisers, parties, and went on trips.        I remember when we were coming back from St. Louis. Scott Gilbert and I were taking turns driving my 1985 Ford Tempo.   It only went up to 85 mph.    Scott wanted to race Rob Dombkowski home, so in the middle of 4 lanes of traffic outside of Chicago, I put the cruise control on and Scott and I switched seats. I know that wasn't one of my brilliant ideas, but you do some stupid things when you are young.   Anyway, Scott got the car to go well past 85 and we almost beat Rob back to Kalamazoo.     

At the end of the semester, we had a banquet and dressed up in formals.     The seniors who were graduating received gifts. We had fun at those parties.

October 1996: St. Joseph with Amy Klopp

Amy Klopp invited me to come visit her in St. Joseph.      Her parents had a nice home.   Her grandmother lived in the basement which was nice for the family.   Her grandmother helped raise her.  Amy took me to downtown St. Joseph and along the lake.   

September 27, 1996: Kim & Owen's Wedding

My cousin, Kim Gonyo, asked me to be in her wedding. It was such an honor for me.    Our dresses were hunter green.  She had me walk down the aisle with Owen's friend, Peter Schumacher.   Kim and Owen were hoping to fix up Peter and I at this wedding.    

Kim was a beautiful bride.      Her dress had a long train.    She had the ceremony at St. Pat's Catholic Church in Ann Arbor.    The reception was very nice and elegant.    Kim and Owen did the garter and bouquet toss. I caught the bouquet and Owen's grandfather caught the garter. Then, it came time for his grandfather to have to put the garter on me, which was hilarious.     All of us had a ball dancing.   After the wedding, Peter and I went to a coffee shop in downtown Ann Arbor.

August 24, 1996: My 22nd Birthday

I celebrated my 22nd birthday by moving into my new apartment in Kalamazoo.    I spent 3 1/2 hours unpacking.    Mom and I had dinner at Applebee's and then did some shopping.  My roommate, Robyn, bought me a birthday cake and card which I thought was so nice.     

I ordered a new bed, which wouldn't be delivered for a couple of days.   Nina got her own room and Robyn and I shared the 2nd room.   

August 22, 1996: Amish Acres

We left for Amish Acres, which is in Napanee, Indiana.  We went on a tour of an old Amish farm and were taught some interesting facts about the Amish. The men grow long bears when they get married.    Amish are not allowed to use any modern things such as electricity or cars.    They can use washing machines, but they must be in propane.   

We went on a buggy ride .  The driver, an older guy, had me sit next to him and direct the horse. I don't know understand why these old men hit on me.   

Watched a production of "Joseph & the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat" which was quite good.    

Then, we had a delicious dinner prepared by the Amish.   

August 21, 1996: Dover Hills Apartments

Stopped at Dover Hills apartments in Kalamazoo in order to sign my lease papers.    We went to see the apartment, which was gorgeous.      The address was:  4626 Dover Hills Apt. 202.

I picked up my books for the semester.  Then, we drove to Shipshewana to the famous flea market.    It was huge.   We ate at the Auction restaurant on the premises.  Then, we went around the stores in town.    We saw several Amish people driving in their black carriages.    Each of their homes was white with beautiful gardens.  

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Goshen, Indiana.    

August 17, 1996: Eric & Matthews dog, Ben

Eric Anderson was working at the Plaza movie theater while going to college at Grand Valley State.    He wanted to get a degree in criminal justice.   Found out that Eric and Matthew's dog, Ben, passed away today.    Ben was a black lab that was so friendly.   I was afraid of most dogs, except for Ben.      I will miss seeing that dog.      

I got my mom hooked on America Online.  

August 10, 1996: Rob Dombkowski's Summer Party

Rob Dombkowski lived in Dowagiac, Michigan on a lake.  He had a summer party each year.     I picked up Tamara Ohs and her daughter, Armani, and we drove to Rob's house for the party.    I went jet skiing with Elizabeth Janssen.  It was so much fun.    Nina and I sat on the deck and dipped our feet in the water.    Lieschen said I had changed in a good way over the summer. It must've been all of that working in the inner city stores.

It was nice to see everyone from Phi Chi Theta.

August 3, 1996: Todd & Wendy's Graduation from CMU

Mom followed me to Mount Pleasant for Wendy and Todd's graduation from Central Michigan University.    The ceremony was at the Rose Center.     It was so hot inside.      After the ceremony, the Gonyos, Todd's family, and us went to Clare, Michigan and had dinner at the Hotel Doherty.    

Then, Mom, Joy, and I drove to West Branch to go shopping at the outlets.  We all got Coach purses.    I directed my mom part way home and then Joy and I split off and went to Merrill Lake campground off of highway 66 for the annual camping trip.