Books from Punta Cana

One of my favorite things about our trip to Punta Cana was all the uninterrupted reading time I had, and I am so grateful I took some great books with me.

The night before we left I had book group and we discussed The School Of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. Even thought I didn't technically read it on the vacation I have to mention it because I loved it! I fell in love with each of the characters and felt like I knew them personally. I read it in about 2 days, (thanks to Kai and Luke for sleeping in until 10am on the second day) because I just needed to know more about each character. If you haven't already read it, you need to. Also, good news, her next book is coming out in June.

Jackie & Bobby was the first actual book of the trip. I started it on the plane and finished it the day after we arrived. It is all about the relationship that grew between Jackie & Bobby out of their grief from losing John F. Kennedy. I learned a lot I hadn't known before, and I was heartbroken for Jackie most of the book. I really enjoyed it however, if you are not interested in the Kennedy's or non-fiction it might not be for you.

Here I am reading Jackie & Bobby poolside.

Then I started to read a book I have been wanting to read since I saw it at Target, and then saw it on a blog I like. It is Bloodroot by Amy Greene. I loved every second of it. It is about a girl named Myra who grew up in Appalachia, told through the people closest to her. It was a heartbreaking and vivid story of her family. My mom grew up in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, and although her experience growing up there (and mine visiting as a kid) was nothing like this families, I could relate to her love of the land around her. Visiting Kentucky as a child was the most amazing experience, and I think part of my love for it was trees, creeks, hollers, and animals that were always surrounding me. My grandparents owned an awesome house on over 350 acres of land, all untouched and unexplored. Amy Greene did an amazing job of writing about the land surrounding Myra, it was almost its own character.

Here I am reading Bloodroot with the ocean right in front of me. I love this picture because it pretty much sums up what we did the whole time. Brian tanned, I read, Emily put on sunscreen, and Nate took pictures.

Lastly I started to read Wild Swan by Jung Chang. I read it about 4 years ago for my book group in Washington, and now I am reading it again for this book group. This is another great book, and is about three generations of Chinese women. Jung Chang does a wonderful job telling her story as well has her mothers and grandmothers. Parts are brutal but she doesn't hold back. I am so excited to read it again because I already see myself noticing things I didn't the first time around. I can't wait for another great discussion about it.

Happy Reading!

*Side note: We just traded pictures with the Steinhafel's and I am sorting through them right now, so the rest of our trip pictures will be up soon!

Its been 1 Week

It has been one week back into the life I knew and lived before Punta Cana. I am not even going to lie, it has been rough.

I have been flung right back into the rigorous life of school lunches, hair braiding, laundry, dishes (without a dishwasher), bathrooms, vacuuming, mopping, play group, homework, church callings, phone calls, doctor and dentist appointments, and the hardest chore of all, making my own bed (and 4 others).

And not once during all these difficult takes has someone offered me a Pina Colada, NOT ONCE!

Punta Cana - Part 1

It was a 3am wake up call and I had only gone to bed at 1am. Last minute packing and cleaning up around the house had kept me up. It was freezing outside in Pittsburgh but that didn’t deter me from wearing a cute maxi dress, I was officially in vacation mode.

At the airport I got to use my first passport ever for the first time. I was only going to Miami from here but it still made me feel special. From Pittsburgh to Miami was our first flight. To say it was bumpy would be an understatement. Prior to our departure I had made the oh so wise decision to eat a Philly cheese steak sub with a diet coke for breakfast. About an hour into the constant turbulence that sub became something I deeply regretted, and gave me my second first of the trip. Losing my lunch (actually breakfast) on the plane. Luckily, I made it to the bathroom and all was well a few hours later, but one of our travel companions Nate couldn’t make it to the bathroom I was occupying and enjoyed a first for him self as well.

From Miami we flew to Puerto Rico, and then finally onto Punta Cana. We went through customs, and straight to get our bags. We were able to quickly find our transportation, a prior decision that proved perfect, and we were just a short 25 minute drive to the hotel.

As we turned out of the airport I quickly pulled out my phone to play a game. Because of continued conversation I had to put it away and was forced to acknowledge the extreme poverty surrounding us. Honestly, it is hard to look at. Hard to fathom such a difficult life. I found myself heartbroken that just outside this luxury resort that was taking me away from all my responsibilities was a hard reality for so many. I will never understand how I have been so blessed in this life.

We arrived and though I was still sidetracked from the drive over I couldn’t help but enjoy this beautiful place that would be my home for 6 nights. Once we got to the room I was in heaven. It is beyond beautiful and better then described. Out in the back porch is a mini hot tub and I wasted no time enjoying that while Brian did what he was looking forward to the most, eating. He ordered room service and assembled the gifts he had brought to give the maids to take home to their children.

It was a perfect night out in the hot tub looking out at the stars.

Punta Cana - Part 2

Punta Cana

This year for our anniversary we are headed to Punta Cana.

About a month ago we started talking with our friends about going, then about 2 weeks ago it got real, and as of 2 am this morning it was final. Brian, myself, and our friends Nate and Emily will leave the beautiful (but cold) PA on March 31.

Here are Brian and Nate hard at work trying to find the best place, and I think they did!

I couldn't be more excited!