back in the saddle

but only for a few days before i'm off again.
far far too much has happened since my last posting to report properly, so you may have to call me for a proper catch up if you want one. but in short, it's been a great month.

spain ended up going amazingly well - the conference was a huge success for me personally and professionally - it rejuvinated me and gave me the much-needed energy to carry on with what i'm doing. i also found it gave me more direction with my role in the company and what i want to do for it. and then i got to hang with anna - who is pregnant with twins - and lounge around madrid in cool cafes and rooftop terraces catching up (and feeling the twins move around!!)

and then back for a few days of work before taking off on a cruise with the family! my grandparents took the entire basilius clan on a week's vacation to jamaica and the grand cayman islands, and then for a few days down in key largo at my uncle's place. a few of the highlights for me:

* buffets buffets buffets - all the food you could eat, anytime you like. we did surprisingly well, eating pretty healthily ... just MORE of the healthy stuff than i'd normally eat!
* lounging by the pool
* sitting on the deck chairs facing the vast and endless ocean
* yoga on the high seas
* running around the 'track' (10th floor deck) at 7am watching the sunrise over the ocean
* bingo with my grampa!
* buffets, did i mention the buffets?
* grooving with my sister in 'da club' late at night
* family dinners together (these not buffets, but with a fine selection)
* kareoke contests ... no, sadly, didn't get the boots out for walking - but definitely should have!
* getting to know my cousins better
* touring through ocho rios jamaica with our personal chauffeur (real name Lloyd - 'but you can call me Mr Cool')
* 90 degree ocean water
* renting bikes on cayman with alex and finding a private resort beach to swim for the day
* and then cycling to hell and back. (literally!)
* snorkeling the reefs in key largo
* lobster dinner at brian's house
* deep sea fishing
* and then eating what we caught that night

there are SO many things it would be impossible to get them all down in one blog. i'll get some pictures up as soon as i get them off my camera! it was a great vacation ...

but now i'm back in boston and exhausted. needing a vacation from my vacation!

a big shout out to my grama and grampa for such a wonderful week!