2 yrs ago today... ahhh

It's been exactly two years to the day that we've been married. It's felt like just seconds. :) We both are working together this month at the hospital. We got a chance to get out a little bit earlier than normal to enjoy a beautiful dinner in Tampa, a section called Ybor City. Very old. The restaurant - Columbia - is known for fabulous food and entertainment with Flamenco dancing. Below are a few pictures. What a GREAT time!!!

Heavenly Anniversary ...

Almost two years to the date, many of you traveled to sunny Florida to help celebrate our wedding in St. Pete Beach. Having done little exploring of the Sunshine State since moving here, we decided to venture to south Florida for a long weekend and get away. What better way to relax than stay at the comfy Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL?




Upon arrival Friday morning we ventured into Hollywood by foot exploring all the beach bistro shops adjoining Broadwalk. Later that night we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the hotel restaurant Cafe (very chique, btw).









The next day was all about pampering and relaxing. Michelle & I slept in on the heavenly Westin bed and hit the beach for some serious sun (bad sunburns as proof).

Later that afternoon we took a courtesy shuttle to the Diplomat Country Club for an hour-long Swedish massage. It was awesome, and included all the perks and amenities for the true spa experience. Later that evening we went back into downtown Hollywood to eat dinner and enjoy an Artwalk expo, along with some live street-music. This one guitarist happens to be Colombian, we purchased his CD and enjoyed his upbeat tunes on the drive back today.



In all it was a lovely weekend getaway ... the weather was perfect, we got some sun, and enjoyed this four-star resort to its finest! Next year Michelle suggested a cabin retreat in wintery Michigan .... hmmm ....

Official plans ...

Just to update everyone on our plans for next year. It's official, Michelle & I received our contracts for fellowship starting July 2006. We'll be training in pulmonary/critical care medicine & gastroenterology, respectively, at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, MI. It's a large teaching program in southeast Michigan, and we'll be there for the next three-plus years. We graduate from residency June 23rd, and will be moving up the following day! Scary to think we're moving again. We're most likely going to sell our house before the move, and rent or buy property up there. We'll update you as things progress ... anyone know of any reputable moving companies?!

Florida Strawberry Festival

Part of Florida is the annual Strawberry Festival in Plant City. The state-fair-like nature of the whole event is packed full of excitement. There were midway rides, traditional fair food, 4H demonstrations, and all sorts of entertainment. Nightly there were large headline shows - country music's finest. We found the last night Trace Adkins the best bet for us. I don't know how many of the people reading this are country music fans but we just can't get enough of the Bedonkydonk song. If you don't get it, don't worry. Fabulous time. We enjoyed traditinal strawberry shortcake. MMMMMMmmm. Can't get enough. Also below is a picture of some of the entertaining stuff we did... including the pig races. Gosh, it's great to be alive!
The Raggedy Ann Doll is acutlally made out of cake. If you read the info tag, you will find out about the shop that makes those cakes in Tampa. You may be able to make out the little piggies running below. :)

Can't get enough Ginger

Proud parents can't resist pictures at every moment.
These are a few I couldn't resist. All in a day, and then she rests :)

Clean cut!

This is how everybody woke up this morning:


Well, today was the day. Today was the day that Ginger and Justin picked to get haircuts. Now, this may come as a shock to all of you, but Justin is quite particular about his hair. He has been cutting his own now for about 4 yrs --usually it is the same style. Not today. Almost a dare/bet, Justin said that after he got his fellowship contract he would do it... SHORT HAIRCUT. So we're putting him up to it. What a great day to give Ginger a cut too. After the "in-law cut" and the "surgery cut"... finally will be one length. Before and after shots:

Surprise!

Today Michelle received a nice surprise going away party by the CCU nurses at our hospital. It was a way of saying thanks for treating the ill, saving lives & dealing with super-ego attending physicians the past month. I would know, as she's been getting home quite late from work the past several weeks. She's an amazing person as I'm sure you're all aware :-) Lunch included a delicious spread from Olive Garden, and home-made Tierra Misu dessert. Yummy!

Memories/Flashbacks

Yesterday was all about reunions and fond memories of distant past. One of my good friends from elementary school, Andrew, drove down from Gainesville for the day with his girlfriend Blair. We had a great time catching up and watching videos of school plays we performed in ~20 years ago! Later that day we all drove downtown to the St. Petersburg Arts Center for a Breast Cancer 3-Day reunion party. Michelle got to see members from her "Accidental Angels" walking team from back in October. For those of you unaware, she walked 60 miles for breast cancer awareness in sizzling 90-degree weather, raising $2,500! I was merely a medical volunteer helping the walking wounded with local foot care and ankle sprains/strains. All in all we had fun, and look forward to future gatherings.

Hosting the 'rents ...

Michelle & I spent the past week hosting my parents, who we try and see every couple of months. For the most part it was a lot of relaxing, eating, schmoozing, and good ol' catching up with what's new. They were immediately captured by Ginger, who they played with for the first time. We hosted them as well as Bernie/Ruth Friday evening for a wonderful dinner. Saturday they hit the jackpot at the nearby Wagon Wheel flea market, thoroughly enjoying perusal of random odds and ends for sale.

Sunday we gathered up & drove to Orlando to visit my Aunt Gladys, cousin Juanita & her 5-year old son Julian. He has a tendency to dress up in colorful costumes, as seen by the Darth Vader outfit ;-) Many thanks to Gladys for hosting a delicious lunch!




Unfortunatley one of our favorite restaurants (Bonefish Grill) could not accomodate us for Valentine's Day, so we decided to go the night before! A wonderful venue and delicious selection of fresh fish and side dishes. All in all a wonderful time, we look forward to seeing them again
in May back in New York. So long for now!!

Gasparilla Festivities

The rest of our time here in St Petersburg/Tampa Bay is about enjoying this beautiful place that we are living in. Enjoying the fact that it is 80 degrees outside in January, that people can drink in the middle of the day and that people will do anything for ... beads. This is the story of Gasparilla.
So there was once this pirate names Gasper. He, supposedly, was one of the people to first settle in this area. He came to the bay around 1900 ... I have to look it up. Anyway, this last weekend in January is always celebrated... Gasparilla. We, thus far, had never been to the festivities. This year we decided to check it out. I'm glad that we did. We had a ton of fun. :) These are some pictures.

Ginger Post Op

Ginger has officially had more surgery than either Justin or myself. She came back from the vet today looking so sad and helpless. Her incision is quite small sealed on the skin with 2 small staples. She seems fine but a little "altered." We have to give her these pills that are "antiinflammatory" -- hope that she likes them. :)
It's so sad to watch her...