Go-Pro Mexico

So, for work, Brad has access to a GoPro camera. His boss actually recommended that he bring it to Mexico with him so that he could test it out. Why he would need it in his particular line of videography and photography is beyond me, but he had so much fun playing with it, and he got some super cool photos of us when we went snorkeling.

 
 
 

To be honest, I don’t think snorkeling is for me. It’s crazy to have those fish literally swimming right past your face, but the apparatuses are intense. And yeah, I was a little scared of the fish.

Valentine’s Day in Paradise

I’m not going to be one of those people who complains about Valentine’s Day. I love getting into most holidays, probably as a by-product of my sister’s enthusiasm for decorations and themed sweet treats. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, I think it’s fun to celebrate the love you have in your life. Obviously, you should do it all the time. And I don’t think you should ever have to feel obligated on one day to show that, because it usually sets you up for failure. Since I was in Riviera Maya for the holiday this year, it wasn’t a priority at all.
However, Brad had requested that we get to have dinner alone and spend some time just to ourselves.
The day started off perfectly with a nice breakfast and a flower from one of the kind waiters.

 
 

One of the “a la carte” restaurants that we were able to attend for free was a steak place, so we decided to make that our date night pick. It’s an open-air place by the pools, and it was the perfect night to enjoy the breeze. When we walked over, I got to see a full moon hanging over the ocean (I know the last picture is blurry, but I still love it) and enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing. I had to take some pictures. Brad was in line to put our names in, so I experienced this myself. It was a great moment of appreciating my life and my surroundings. 

 

We decided to purchase a bottle of wine, a tasty cabernet sauvignon that was perfect with our meal.
A toast, some conversation by candle light, and paradise surrounding us.
What more could you ask for on Valentine’s Day?

Riviera Maya

Vacations aren’t a frequent part of my life. Growing up, my family would head to Wildwood Crest for a few days, a not-so-long drive away. I’ve been to Ocean City, MD a couple of times since graduating high school. But still, none of it was for very long or very…exotic, I guess. When I was given the opportunity to go to Mexico with Brad and his family, I was so grateful and excited! It didn’t seem real, though, and I couldn’t believe that I would eventually be boarding a plane and landing at an all-inclusive resort as my hometown got pummeled in snow.

I don’t really know what to say about the trip…it was perfect! The weather was fantastic, the food was enjoyable, the drinks were fun, the company was great. When we first arrived, I felt like I was in a dream. Every morning, when I’d look outside of our deck or walk up to the pool area, I still felt like it couldn’t be real.
When I first knew about the trip, I couldn’t believe it. And I still can’t believe it, after being there and coming back!

Of course, I have to share some photos. I have hundreds, split mostly between my DSLR and my iPhone (I had to do some IG shots and emails to my family), so I’ll probably be talking about it for a while…

This was only my 3rd trip requiring a plane, and it’s been about 6 years since the last one. I was so happy to get the window seat! I feel like Instagrammers and photo enthusiasts have a little bucket list of pictures you need to take in your life. Photos from the window seat of a plane were definitely on mine, so I could cross that off. Here was my first view of Mexico! A lovely site after snow-covered buildings and cold roads.

 

The beautiful lobby of Catalonia Riviera Maya, where we were greeted with Tequila Sunrises.

 

Our room was on the first floor, and it was actually quite big. There were two beds, but we shared one and the other housed our suitcase and random clothes explosions and messiness. Brad took this photo of me on our deck, with the view of the pool and palm trees behind me. So beautiful.

  
 

Two big pools with swim-up bars, but the ocean was right there. I spent my first two days in these chairs, reading, drinking frozen cocktails, and swimming in clear blue water. Sigh…

 
 

So many more photos to show, but this is a little taste of the daily life. Palm trees, sunshine, clear blue water (pool or ocean), tequila-based drinks, and lounging without a care in the world.

I feel like I brought home some positivity, and I really hope to keep it with me. The fact that I got this opportunity in the first place proved that I’m super lucky and blessed, and I hope to carry that into my daily life.

*all photos taken with my Canon Rebel XSi, iPhone photos to follow!