Friday Morning

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I was back in Houston and reoriented myself to my surroundings and went back to bed. I finally got up at 8:45, knowing that I had to be in the lobby at 9:45 to figure out my transportation back to the airport on Monday.

It turns out, this was a resort presentation about activities that are offered. There is a catamaran excursion for tomorrow that I am going to take. It is $89 and I am so going to do it. I cannot wait. It leaves at 7:45 and returns around 6. Lots of sunscreen, a camera and plenty of smiles is on tap for that.

I am noticing that it defaults my language on the computer to espanol each time I bring it up. Interesting.

I don’t know if I will do any other excursion. That is all for now.

A view from my room.



A view of the beach.

Thursday, Arrival to the DR

Donce dreenk zee vater.

Getting off the plane was surreal. We literally climbed down a ladder to the tarmac and found someone to shepherd us in. We paid the $10 entry fee to get in and next was customs. Surprisingly, customs was not that big of deal. Finally, I got my bag and had to find the “tour” bus to take me to the hotel. I got in with some fine folks from Louisiana. Great people and they got us together to where our bus had only people going to this resort on it. I am learning to tip around $1 for anything that people do for me.

I got checked in. I really didn’t like the room that they had for me, which had a view of I am not sure what. I called them and told them I didn’t like it. They upgraded my room for free to a pool side view. Nice. I made sure to tip the front desk people for that. One U.S. dollar is approximately 35 pesos. I found cervezos finally as well. The local beer, Presidente is on the house. Corona, $5. I had a corona and then switched to the free beer.

Here are a couple of room pictures.





I determined that the DR is 3 hours ahead of Houston time, so I am adjusting to that.
Naturally, I wandered around to get a lay of the land so to speak. I had a couple of beers. Finally I got hungry and found the buffet. It was fair at best. I had some pork that I swear tasted like Pine Sol. I ate it as I was hungry. I loaded up on mashed taters and fries and some rice, and of course beer.

I stopped at the business center to check out internet access. Get this!! It is $25 for 24 hours of internet. It is not calendar based, but usage based, meaning 24 hours of internet connectivity. How cool and cheap is that!! I realized that while I did bring the charger for my camera, I did not bring my USB cord for it, to download pictures.

I went back to the room, finally unpacked my stuff. I figured out the safe, which is free. It does hold my laptop, so I was very happy about that!!

After that, I took a shower, changed clothes and wandered to the beach around 9:00. I love the beach at night for some reason. Nobody was out there. I just sat there listening and watching the stars. It is amazing that the water doesn’t stop.

I next found the sports bar for more cervezos. Yes, they have a sports bar. I was so excited!! The Cavs/Magic game was on. I ended up hanging out with some girls and some dudes that were watching the game feverishly. It turns out there are several people from Boston here.

A lot of people are smoking cigars here. I guess this country is renowned for its cigars. I found myself wanting to have one. I may get one tonight.

I’ve learned that I really like talking to the people that work here. They remember me and treat me like gold. It is refreshing. Their smiles seem genuine to me.

Miami Flight

I am sitting in first class. Breakfast was great. I had the choice of an omelet or pancakes. I chose the pancakes. It was pancakes, sausage, and a fruit bowl of melons and cantaloupe. Breakfast was good and the coffee was good as well.

I am watching Marley and me with Jennifer Aniston and what’s his name.

The first class flight attendant was so nice, great service. The towel service will be soon. I cannot believe I am headed to the Dominican Republic, flying first class no less. The ride as we went over Florida is a bit bumpy, but I do not mind it.

I still cannot remember this dude’s name. Owen Wilson. I cheated and looked at the American Airlines magazine.

The Miami airport is very nice. They have these Samsung pods where you can plug in your laptop. No more sitting on the floor in a walkway to find an outlet. All airports need this!

I really wanted a beer, but was hungry. I got a croissant and a mountain dew instead. There is a bar next to my gate, so maybe I will go there next. I think this is the second time I've been to Miami. Both times I flew first class ironically.

I checked to see if my first class ticket would get me into the Admirals club, but it only does that on International flights basically not to the Caribbean. It would've been $50. I may do that on my way back however. I believe I have a long layover in Miami on Monday.

I bought some postcards for a friend at work, whose son collects postcards from around the world.

This is a picture of me in first class.

DR Trip Airport Check In

I am checked in, first class!!! I love my U.S. passport. That thing is GOLDEN!! It took me no time to get checked in, through security and to starbucks. I have a starbucks in hand right now.

My driver, Hillman, hooked me up, dropped me off. He is an old driver for me that I used to use all the time when I flew every week. He is a good driver and had a swanky ride today. It was a very nice Tahoe, leather interior. He was totally on time!!

Not much else to report here. I am just people watching, looking to see who is going to be on the plane. I wonder what first class will look like. I've flown first class on Continental many times but never American.

I will leave you with this:
Is the feeling of anticipation greater than the feeling you get when you reach reality?

Friday at the AVP Tournament in Houston

I had a GREAT weekend!!

Thursday night, my professional beach volleyball players arrived at my house. The AVP was in Houston for a tournament and they needed a place to stay. I volunteered so I had GREAT, I mean GREAT guests for the weekend.

They had one stop at the Boys and Girls club of Houston after their arrival. Crocs is giving away shoes to millions of children worldwide and my guests were doing their part to help this cause!!!

After settling in I took them to Houston's restaurant. It is a chain and has great grilled artichokes. My friends ordered the grilled artichokes as appetizers. One of them actually found a "grilled" worm in her artichokes. She hurriedly sent it away with the waitress. The manager promptly came over and apologized profusely for the error. They wanted more artichokes because the odds of finding one worm is almost like winning the lottery. Another round of artichokes showed up and guess what? Another worm was found. I know, like ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! Regardless, we got a free meal and dessert out of that deal. The meal itself was fantastic and the desserts even better! The girls were so positive that they looked at it as a free meal.

You have to remember, these players do not make a lot of money, contrary to popular belief, so anything free, i.e. lodging and meals is a bonus!!

Friday morning, they got up before me and yes cooked breakfast. I had this oatmeal, eggs, avacado, tomato surprise that was cooked by one of them. It was very good. One of the players eats really fast and was done in a flash. I didn't finish quite as quick, but was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted.

They had a 9 o'clock game, so they left promptly thereafter. I made it to the game by 9:05ish. I was the only one cheering them on. I thought they didn't hear me, but yet after the game, they told me they could. :) The first match was a win for my newfound friends. They entered the tourney as 17 seeds. Their next match was against the number 1 seed in the tournament.

Later, against the number 1 seed they lost 21-14, 21-18. That second game I think showed me the potential they had. To stretch a number 1 seed like that, was amazing.

They were 1-1 with a contenders bracket match later.

I wandered around the campus looking for a game. Later, their game was up on court 2 to see who gets to play on Saturday. Unfortunately, they lost. I was so bummed. All my friends there knew I was bummed. I so wanted them to win, so they could go back to my house, relax and get ready for a 10:00 match the next morning. Fresh legs, a scouting report and ready to advance in the tournament.

I ended up watching a match with Jenny Kropp in it. Jenny happens to be from Nebraska, where I was born and spent most of my adult life in. I ended up rooting for her and noticed one more fan. It was her beloved mommy cheering her daughter on. After the match they won, I was talking to her mom and found out she knows my cousins back in Nebraska. Wow what a small world.

I ended up going back to the house with my guests. I took them out for a dinner so they could have "beer". We had a great time, talking life, volleyball, my dating life and other things. I was so blessed!!!

Friday, I realized I didn't butter up enough as my face was very red.

What a great day I had, watching my new friends play a sport I love and do so freaking well!!!

Introduction

I am Kelito!

NO, this is not anything like Carlito's Way!!

This is my way through life. I have many interests and I write off the cuff. Deal with the grammar and spelling.

A little about me. I am:

• An attention hoe
• Sports fanatic (Red Sox, Cornhuskers, 49ers, Celtics and Bruins fan)
• Amateur sand volleyball player (2 on 2)
• IT Professional (Save a Computer, Ride a Geek)
• Artist (Acting and Painting)
• Comedian (Yeah my jokes blow chunks, but I don't care)

Enjoy my opinions.

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, some just stink.