Iced Tea

You know it's a slow news day when I'm blogging about my iced tea, but really! This thing is the size of my head!

Also, the best thing about living in a hotel- never having to clean or pay for TP!

Black Hammock

I've had some fun with my weekend adventures taking my Versa and GPS on the road into the unknown. That's why I've saved the most classic Floridian experience for last before Celeste, Jeff and the girls arrive next week after which my internship will feel like it's practically done!

So as I've been speaking with the executives in my company, many of them have suggested I go to Black Hammock, a converted Harley Bar on Lake Jessop that has the most gators per square meter or something like that. However, just my luck I didn't see a one in its natural habitat. But here are some fun pics of my day!














Here is the store front of this very shabby attraction. But I think the camp factor really added to the authenticity of a dude named Earl boating you around a swamp!















We coasted along the banks to catch sight of some gators, but alas, no sightings.



















I took this pic with the wind blowing in my face. I'm glad I got our tour guide in the pic as well! The air boat ride was really loud, hence the air traffic control ear muffs, but the ride itself was surprisingly cool and relaxing.



Here is some video of the air boat ride. I was surprised to see we went right into the weeds as well as doing some spins in the lake. I was talking with one of my fellow riders who asked about MIT. We got to talking about Lockheed and it turns out she was ex-CIA. cool.














The price of the ride also included a pic with the resident gator. So here I am trying to control the critter as it tried to squirm. yuck! However, it felt quite cool on this hot day, something you might want to put over your eyes early in the morning to reduce puffiness. But after this, I woud rather have my gators in purse form- perhaps a sophisticated clutch. And no, I did not have the stomach to eat gater nuggets in the attached restaurant. I think it had more to do with hygiene than ethics :)

Mount Dora

This weekend I went to Mount Dora which is northwest of Orlando for lunch and to do a little shopping. Above is a picture of the cute side streets, restaurants, and shops.














After lunch and shopping, Silvia and I went for dessert at an English tea room. It was very cute with kitch stuff all over complete with British import foodstuffs. The chocolate cake was big enough for a doggie bag!














And to make you even more jealous, I took a close up of the meal.

Lift-off!

After 5 failed tries, Space Shuttle Endeavor was sent into orbit yesterday a little after 6PM. Here is my best try to get a picture of it from my hotel balcony, but it was so humid that my camera had condensation all over it. However, you can just make out the white trail in the sky. My overall thoughts, "Wow! That is fast!"

Because I was so close, it lasted only a few seconds. It's something you don't see everyday considering they are retiring the shuttle program in 2010.

Kentucky wedding

Got back from Richmond, KY last night. Here are some pics of the wedding and reception. It took place on the bride's sister's house on over an acre of rolling green hills. However, it was a bit cloudy and rained during the outdoor ceremony, but we lived.
































Yay America!



















The newly weds kiss after the ceremony. The closing line from the pastor was written by the newly weds and stated, "Be excellent to one another."
Party on, Wayne!



















"someone left the cake out in the rain..."

Male manicurist!

I am getting all primped for the wedding this weekend and for the
first time in my life I have a male manicurist. I used to think I was
destined to marry a chef, but now I'm thinking this guy will come in
handy!