February 3, 2015: Belize City, Belize

Our next stop was in Belize City, Belize.      In the 1700's, Belize City was actually founded by former pirates.  When a group of British buccaneers decided it was more lucrative to harvest lumber out of Belize's wooded interior.    With tropical hardwood in great demand, the town grew rapidly.  Thousands of African slaves were brought in to float the logs and load the ships, and before long, the European population had exploded as well.   The two groups and their descendants began to mix, ultimately creating the Creole culture so prevalent today.

Though no longer the capital, Belize City remains at the heart of the country---its gorgeous Caribbean coastline and rich cultural life a magnet for residents and tourists alike.   Home to a lush tropical rain forest and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it's also the gateway to adventure.  From jungle treks to cave tubing to scuba diving, the opportunities are endless.   And also fascinating is a tour of the ancient Mayan city of Altun Ha, once a major trading center long before the Europeans arrived.

We went on a cave tubing excursion which was alot of fun.      We had to carry tubes down into the dark caves, barely being able to see where you walked.    Our group had to hang on to each other's tubes so we stayed together.      The water was pretty warm.    There were bats roaming around way above in the caves.     We did a little walking around the caves, too.     I was surprised that this was my mom's favorite tour on the trip.

All of us had drinks and dinner in the main dining room. The food is always so good on the cruises. I usually gave 5-8 pounds on each cruise.   This may be why I can never seem to lose weight, as I have been on too many cruises with good food.

February 2, 2015: Roatan, Honduras

Our first stop was in Roatan, Honduras.  Dive shops about Roatan. Home to the world's second-largest coral reef, this diver's paradise is teeming with colorful marine life.  Though just as colorful are all the characters that have passed through the sandy shores of this beautiful Bay Island. Roatan has a long and tangled history of Paya Indians, Spanish conquistadors, British pirates, rebel slaves and more recently, European and North American expats. But it's not just the underwater wonders that have lured foreigners to lay down their roots here.  Roatan has a very unique cultural identity unlike anywhere else on the mainland of Honduras.  Everything here has been perfectly seasoned with Caribbean flavor---from the music and local cuisine to the laid back island lifestyle.

At 31 miles long and no more than five miles wide, Roatan is the largest of the Honduras' Bay Islands.

Mom and I signed up for the zip line tour.    I have wanted to go zip lining so convinced her to go along.     We had to put on a bunch of equipment in order to zip line.      They had to give me extra because of my weight, which was so embarrassing, yet brought us a bunch of laughs.        

I was scared the first time I went, but it ended up being lots of fun and I did pretty well at it.    Mom went by herself on the first couple of traverses, but then went with the guide for the rest, as it made her nervous. I thought it was a blast.         Of course, I got a bunch of photos of us.   There were 12 traverses all through the jungles of Roatan.       If you are afraid of heights, I probably wouldn't recommend this tour.

After zip lining, we got to hang out with some monkeys. I had one on my shoulder, who tried to climb over my head. It was quite funny.      

After the tour, we ran into Marianne, who said they had gone swimming and were now shopping. I went into the store where Joy and Kim where shopping.       Then, Mom and I walked over to this indoor flea market. She got a beautiful piece of pottery.      Then, we were going to walk around the town.  This little boy followed us around.    He was quite interesting.  Mom got scared so we turned around.  At the end of the walk, the little boy asked for money.  Mom gave him $5 but it was partly torn.  He said he couldn't accept torn money, so she gave him $1.  I guess he learned his lesson that ripped money is still just as valuable.      

February 1, 2015: Day at Sea

Between  the 1850's and the 1950's, millions of European immigrants sailed across the ocean to start a new life.   With the growing demand, shipping companies began building faster, more spacious vessels.  Then, in 1870, the Oceanic raised the bar altogether, adding electricity and running water to its list of lavish amenities.   Ocean travel has come a long way since.

We watched a group of passengers start to learn Michael Jackson's "Thriller Dance", which they planned to perform for everyone on the last night of the cruise.  It was fun to watch them learn the moves. I probably should have joined in, but knowing me, I am not the most coordinated person.

Went shopping in the stores on the ship. I wasn't too impressed with the shops on this ship, nor was I impressed with the other activities, like the ones on the other cruises we have been on.    

We all went for drinks before dinner.  I tried to get the drink of the day so I could get the glass.
Each drink was $7.95.

Went to watch the Superbowl game, which they aired in the main theater.   The New England Patriots played the Seattle Seahawks.   The room was crowded.  They served the traditional football foods such as wings, nachos, and hot dogs.

January 31, 2015: Royal Caribbean "Vision of the Seas".

Since they were having the Gasparillo festival, our group had to walk down with our baggage to a nearby hotel to get our shuttle.     It wasn't too bad of a walk. It was interesting to see everyone in their costumes.    

We got on the Royal Caribbean "Vision of the Seas".       Of course, the first thing we do when we get on the ship is walk around the ship to see where everything was located.      The pool area was very nice.  I like having an indoor pool for adults only.       Although, the regular pool area is great for people watching.   They usually have different activities going on at the outdoor pool area.

Marianne, Kim, my Mom, Joy, and I went down for dinner.   It was casual night which is nice, especially when you figure you may not have your luggage delivered to your room.

After dinner, Mom and I went to see the comedy routine of Wayne Cotter. He was okay.     

January 30, 2015: Michigan to Florida

We flew from Grand Rapids to Chicago, then down to Tampa, Florida, as we were going on another cruise with Marianne, Kim, and Joy. It was sure nice to leave the snow and cold behind us for the next week.     

It was so exciting for me to get to the Chicago airport and see a Garrett's Popcorn, so of course, I had to get some of the Chicago mix which is cheddar and caramel mixed.   It was about $5 which I didn't think was too bad.   

I sat by the Starbucks and spent some time typing up some old journal entries as I was behind on them for this past year.    

We took a shuttle to our hotel and were once again reminded of the traffic in the area. There were four lanes of traffic around the airport area going to Tampa.  Of course, I took a picture of it to remind us why we don't want to live there.     However, I do like the weather in Florida and would like to live in Sarasota, Wesley Chapel, or a suburb of Orlando.

I have kept in contact with my Florida friend, Todd Kramer, who lives in Brandon, FL.    I met him online on Plenty of Fish in 2008 and met him in person at a Barnes and Noble in Tallahassee in 2009.    I was pleasantly surprised when I got to our hotel in Tampa (Sheraton Riverwalk), that Todd was waiting for us in the lobby.    In fact, I was quite impressed.      

He now works for his father, who is an engineer.  His father makes prosthetic feet and Todd helps out with the business.

The Gasparilla Festival was going to be in downtown Tampa tomorrow, which is a big deal for them.   There are about 300,000 people come to Tampa to celebrate.     People come dressed up like pirates, eat, and drink.      

Todd, my mom, and I walked along the river walk over to the channel side district and had pad thai at the Thai Restaurant.  It was all very good.    I paid for Todd's meal since I was the one who invited him.   It was very nice to see him again.

January 29, 2015: Grand Rapids

We decided this time we would stay at a hotel in Grand Rapids and take the shuttle to the airport so we could save on parking at the airport.   Also, in case there was a winter storm, we wouldn't have to drive in it, as we have had bad experiences with that in the past.

Went shopping at Woodland Mall and had dinner at Olga's Kitchen.   Mom left her jacket at the restaurant and it was too late to go back to get it.  I forgot my jewelry so we are off to a good start.  

October 17, 2014: Work Stress

The last few months were stressful for me as I had found out that 3 of us clerks were going to be laid off.   It was difficult for me, as I loved working at the Health Department.    I enjoyed working Immunizations and Food Sanitation.   I loved my coworkers, Dawn Benkert, Julie Henley, Ivi English-Benes, Kevin Green, Krista Latsch, Sarah Krehn, Linda Scott, Ann Kolopus, Joyce Rademacher, etc.  

There were times over the years that I got tired of covering for people who were constantly calling in sick, but overall, I really liked the job.  

Yesterday, I had an interview with District Court in front of 6 ladies.   It was stressful, but I did a good job.  I was going to get hired for the job.  A few hours later, I interviewed at the Prosecutor's Office which didn't go very well.      Someone whom I thought was a friend said some things about me which made me decide not to work there.   I was quite devastated that someone could say those things about me, especially when I am a good worker.   I spoke with my union representative, Kevin, who recommended me not taking either job and go to the Drain Commissioner's office, as originally planned.   Meanwhile, while I had gone on those interviews, Penny had sent an email to the head of Human Resources trying to get into the Drain Commissioner's office. At the time, she thought I was taking one of those those jobs, but I didn't.  

In the early morning, I thought I wouldn't have a job at all, as there was a mix up with which job I was going to take.    I had to contact the head union representative to get it straightened out.     By noon, it was confirmed I would be going to the Drain Commissioner's office.

Kevin Green, Max Bjorkman, Rob, Adam Rosema, and Terry took me to lunch at Bernie O's Pizza.    Max said he would work in my new department until he retired. He said that the clerk job is probably the easiest clerk job in the County of Muskegon.    He said the ladies there are very nice, which I have soon found out to be the case.    They love Ryke's too...another big plus.

My coworkers got both Penny and I a Ryke's cake which tasted so good.

I had worked in the Health Department since October 2003.