Right now we are waiting for our bus to come take us to the airport (Brett is smaking mosquiotos next to my head as we speak). Today we are flying back to Bangkok for an eventful day of speed tourism of the Wats (Buddist Temples) the Tiger Zoo and a evening at the famous night markets of Bangkok and tomorrow morning we fly from Bangkok to San Francisco. It's going to be weird to be home, it feels like it's been a long time since we've been gone.
Yesterday we took a speed boat (instead of a longtail, as I am sure if we attempted to take a longtail boat we would have capsized) to the Archipelgo Samui Marine Park. We snorkeled and kayaked, had lunch and then we went to a lagoon - it was beatamous.
We have have made lots of lasting memories and had an amazing time, also a few mosquito bites, but all worth it in the end :)
See you back in the States :)
December 29, 2009
December 27, 2009
They are STILL playing Christmas music in Thailand!!!!!
It's the evening of the 27h - I am about to convince Brett that we should extend our stay for approximently three more days (he is walking up now from taking a restroom break).
Today we are in Koh Samui - We rented a moterbike on our second day and drove around the entire Islan 15 miles wide 13 miles long - SO MUCH FUN! SCARY really - we tried to rent two moterbikes- but the hotel only had one so I rode on the back (scary!!!)! Take Bangkok (which is INSANITY ON WHEELS), and put in on the road of Koh Samui. It's really a shame that they have cars on this Island. Ko Phi Phi and Rai Lay Bay, the two Islands we were at before this one, only had long tail boats - so Brett and I really agreed that it really makes for a different atmosphere... for whatever reason - it just does.
Honestly, we are having the TIME of our lives!! We are realizing this Christmas (it's been three days of Christmas - Christmas Eve is a huge celebration here, then we had Christmas day, then it was Christmas again back home, so that makes three) that we are SO blessed to have the freedom to take these trips and have the families that love us (and miss us and we miss them A LOT TOO) that have given us the courage to take this journey(s)! This has honestly been a trip of a lifetime!!!
Brett just told me to wrap it up. I was just trying to say that we are blessed, and SO happy! And in three weeks, I start nursing school, and without Brett it would have been impossible(who is literally yawnging right now...)ok I am rambling...
We are having a wonderful time - I was just trying to say that after my car accident, I would have never imagined in my WILDEST OF WILDEST OF DREAMS that I would marry the Man of my dreams and be able to travel the world with him. Also, he has really been the wind beneath my wings that carried me to quit my job, take some bootleg prereqs to apply for Nursing schhol, and support me to get into nursing school, both monitarily and emotionally (it's emotional people)!
Tomorrow we are off to the Similian Islands, where there are 80 Islands and Mangroves. It's a natural marine park that has been wardened off by the Thai government so the Thai people are not allowed to build on it. The beauty to be had we're sure will be amazing!
With Love
B&G
Today we are in Koh Samui - We rented a moterbike on our second day and drove around the entire Islan 15 miles wide 13 miles long - SO MUCH FUN! SCARY really - we tried to rent two moterbikes- but the hotel only had one so I rode on the back (scary!!!)! Take Bangkok (which is INSANITY ON WHEELS), and put in on the road of Koh Samui. It's really a shame that they have cars on this Island. Ko Phi Phi and Rai Lay Bay, the two Islands we were at before this one, only had long tail boats - so Brett and I really agreed that it really makes for a different atmosphere... for whatever reason - it just does.
Honestly, we are having the TIME of our lives!! We are realizing this Christmas (it's been three days of Christmas - Christmas Eve is a huge celebration here, then we had Christmas day, then it was Christmas again back home, so that makes three) that we are SO blessed to have the freedom to take these trips and have the families that love us (and miss us and we miss them A LOT TOO) that have given us the courage to take this journey(s)! This has honestly been a trip of a lifetime!!!
Brett just told me to wrap it up. I was just trying to say that we are blessed, and SO happy! And in three weeks, I start nursing school, and without Brett it would have been impossible(who is literally yawnging right now...)ok I am rambling...
We are having a wonderful time - I was just trying to say that after my car accident, I would have never imagined in my WILDEST OF WILDEST OF DREAMS that I would marry the Man of my dreams and be able to travel the world with him. Also, he has really been the wind beneath my wings that carried me to quit my job, take some bootleg prereqs to apply for Nursing schhol, and support me to get into nursing school, both monitarily and emotionally (it's emotional people)!
Tomorrow we are off to the Similian Islands, where there are 80 Islands and Mangroves. It's a natural marine park that has been wardened off by the Thai government so the Thai people are not allowed to build on it. The beauty to be had we're sure will be amazing!
With Love
B&G
December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas Eve
This morning Brett and I awoke to the beautiful limestone cliffs of Railay Bay. Its VERY funny to hear the Christmas songs in 90 degree weather, but we're adjusting.
Yesterday we kayaked around Ton Sai Bay and Railey Bay through limestone caves and crossed open water in the "Oshi" as Brett would call it - which was not NEARLY as scary or traumatizing as our venture out to Ko Phi Phi ley (see previous blog). The water has erroded the cliffs and there are caves and tunnels to kayak through :) Very neat!
The water and beaches here are truely amazing here, heavenly really. It's crazy to think that if it wasnt for tourism, that many of these place would never been seen. The Thai people are very nice, def slower and more relaxed than us Americans. Brett and I are close to the only Americans here... there are mostly Europeans here. You learn a lot about your own culture when you are surrounded by another culture or other people from other cultures.
Yesterday at Sunset, Brett and I went into the water. Our hotel is situated between two GIANT limestone cliffs that some people attempt to rock climb, that which we will not be doing. Anyway, as we were playing in the water, and giant fish the size of water bottle that skids along the ocean floor called a slug fish scurried under Bretts foot... it was pretty funny!
We're off to Koh Samui by a slew of transportations vehiles - by longtail boat, by safari bus to a A/C Bus to ANOTHER A/C Bus to a giant ferry boat to Koh Samui. It should take about 5-6 hours to get accross Thailand and we'll arrive in the later afternoon of the 26th (the 25th there in the States).
Happy Trails!
Yesterday we kayaked around Ton Sai Bay and Railey Bay through limestone caves and crossed open water in the "Oshi" as Brett would call it - which was not NEARLY as scary or traumatizing as our venture out to Ko Phi Phi ley (see previous blog). The water has erroded the cliffs and there are caves and tunnels to kayak through :) Very neat!
The water and beaches here are truely amazing here, heavenly really. It's crazy to think that if it wasnt for tourism, that many of these place would never been seen. The Thai people are very nice, def slower and more relaxed than us Americans. Brett and I are close to the only Americans here... there are mostly Europeans here. You learn a lot about your own culture when you are surrounded by another culture or other people from other cultures.
Yesterday at Sunset, Brett and I went into the water. Our hotel is situated between two GIANT limestone cliffs that some people attempt to rock climb, that which we will not be doing. Anyway, as we were playing in the water, and giant fish the size of water bottle that skids along the ocean floor called a slug fish scurried under Bretts foot... it was pretty funny!
We're off to Koh Samui by a slew of transportations vehiles - by longtail boat, by safari bus to a A/C Bus to ANOTHER A/C Bus to a giant ferry boat to Koh Samui. It should take about 5-6 hours to get accross Thailand and we'll arrive in the later afternoon of the 26th (the 25th there in the States).
Happy Trails!
December 21, 2009
No Brett honestly... hand me the life vest!
So today is our third day on Ko Phi Phi, which is an Island that is approximately a 90 minute ferry ride from Phuket. Since we've been planning our trip, the ONLY thing I've HAD to do in Ko Phi Phi is visit it's sister Island Ko Phi Phi Ley to see Maya Bay (where they filmed "The Beach" with Leonardo DeCaprio) and Monkey Beach. As a bit of background, Brett is def more the type that would just like to chill and read his book on the beach with the local Singha beer and I tend to enjoy going going going and doing doing doing - so I've been begging him EVER since we got here three days ago to do this tour - today he finally gave in.
Last night when we went to bed the weather began to get a bit tumultuous. Today, a bit overcast, we woke up and and asked the locals if it was safe to go. Laughing behind our back, they told us it was SAFE to go. Ko Phi Phi Ley is about a couple miles off shore. We decided to take a private tour on a long tail boat which is pretty much a row boat with a car engine strapped on the back and a drive shaft in the water connected to a propellor INSTEAD of a speed boat (my choice).
As SOON as we get out of our safe little bay seven foot waves began coming in endless sets. Brett and I both got quiet occassionally attempting to distract ourselves with "Wow that limestone cliff looks pretty... " or "we're halfway there..." That was nothing... the ride back was death by longtail boat.
Half way through the return trip, I started looking for a life vest I honest to God thought we were going to capsize and never be seen again. Honest to God, Brett was gripping the rusty Hepatitis B cage that was handmade connected to the longtail boat and I was shaking so much, but it could have been the vibrations from the car engine strapped to the back of the boat. At one point, "The Captain" had Brett and I shift our weight to the other side of the boat so we wouldn't get crushed by the next set of waves. Before we know it, we look up and we're about 10 yards from a GIANT LIMESTONE CLIFF that any second, another huge set of waves would crush us into. "The Captain" masterfully hit the nas and goosed it out of danger. Somewhere in there I started grabbing life vests... why we didn't have them on during the voyage there or returning God only knows...
Later we pulled up to Monkey Beach and there were no Monkeys. But thank goodness we snokeled in Maya Bay and it was amazing - just like being in a aquarium! At least we got good laughs out of it and our lives were spared.
Tomorrow we are off to Krabi for Christmas then to Ko Samui... then our journey home!
Last night when we went to bed the weather began to get a bit tumultuous. Today, a bit overcast, we woke up and and asked the locals if it was safe to go. Laughing behind our back, they told us it was SAFE to go. Ko Phi Phi Ley is about a couple miles off shore. We decided to take a private tour on a long tail boat which is pretty much a row boat with a car engine strapped on the back and a drive shaft in the water connected to a propellor INSTEAD of a speed boat (my choice).
As SOON as we get out of our safe little bay seven foot waves began coming in endless sets. Brett and I both got quiet occassionally attempting to distract ourselves with "Wow that limestone cliff looks pretty... " or "we're halfway there..." That was nothing... the ride back was death by longtail boat.
Half way through the return trip, I started looking for a life vest I honest to God thought we were going to capsize and never be seen again. Honest to God, Brett was gripping the rusty Hepatitis B cage that was handmade connected to the longtail boat and I was shaking so much, but it could have been the vibrations from the car engine strapped to the back of the boat. At one point, "The Captain" had Brett and I shift our weight to the other side of the boat so we wouldn't get crushed by the next set of waves. Before we know it, we look up and we're about 10 yards from a GIANT LIMESTONE CLIFF that any second, another huge set of waves would crush us into. "The Captain" masterfully hit the nas and goosed it out of danger. Somewhere in there I started grabbing life vests... why we didn't have them on during the voyage there or returning God only knows...
Later we pulled up to Monkey Beach and there were no Monkeys. But thank goodness we snokeled in Maya Bay and it was amazing - just like being in a aquarium! At least we got good laughs out of it and our lives were spared.
Tomorrow we are off to Krabi for Christmas then to Ko Samui... then our journey home!
December 17, 2009
We're blogging from Thailand!
Hello!
We've done so much in the past week, literally taken 7 flights in 7 days if you count our connecting flights! We've been delayed on one flight in Xian, had to miss our connecting flight to Bangkok, and ended up staying the night in Xian (unplanned) and arrived to Bangkok a day late. We also nearly missed our connecting flight between Ghanzhou to Bangkok and were stopped by the police for running in the airport...
Today we had the time of our lives today riding the Elephants and feeding the monkeys - it was UNREAL! We've seen the city of Beijing, the Olymipic Arena Area in Beijing (The Cube and Birds Nest) we've walked along the Great Wall of China seen the Terracota Warriors, Forbidden City and the list goes on. In Xian we had ended up in a Traditional Chinese Restaurant (which Brett had just mentioned a few nights prior that he wanted to "experience") and BOY DID WE EXPERIENCE! We (I Brett says) might have eaten Snake. I also proclaimed that I had the WORST car ride of my life returning home from the Great Wall (our driver nearly fell asleep every 5 minutes and would only wake up to the sound of other car horns and road bumps). Off to explore the many wonders of Bangkok, tomorrow a flight to Phuket to start our Island Adventure!
We've done so much in the past week, literally taken 7 flights in 7 days if you count our connecting flights! We've been delayed on one flight in Xian, had to miss our connecting flight to Bangkok, and ended up staying the night in Xian (unplanned) and arrived to Bangkok a day late. We also nearly missed our connecting flight between Ghanzhou to Bangkok and were stopped by the police for running in the airport...
Today we had the time of our lives today riding the Elephants and feeding the monkeys - it was UNREAL! We've seen the city of Beijing, the Olymipic Arena Area in Beijing (The Cube and Birds Nest) we've walked along the Great Wall of China seen the Terracota Warriors, Forbidden City and the list goes on. In Xian we had ended up in a Traditional Chinese Restaurant (which Brett had just mentioned a few nights prior that he wanted to "experience") and BOY DID WE EXPERIENCE! We (I Brett says) might have eaten Snake. I also proclaimed that I had the WORST car ride of my life returning home from the Great Wall (our driver nearly fell asleep every 5 minutes and would only wake up to the sound of other car horns and road bumps). Off to explore the many wonders of Bangkok, tomorrow a flight to Phuket to start our Island Adventure!
December 8, 2009
IT"S OFFICIAL!
I've been accepted to the Masters program at USF for the January 25th start term! I am so honored and excited and in shock. I just can't believe my dreams keep coming true. There were 224 applicants and approximently 30-35 people get in! Megan McDrew, the admissions counselor called me today to inform me that I have been accepted! She told me that I should be very honored (which clearly I am, have I told you that I am honored) and that it is a very competitive program (which I assumed when I was waitlisted). I replied by telling her she has no idea what this means to me, and that I am very honored! It's official... I've been accepted to nursing school !!!
Nurse to be Gina Marie's future title will read:
Gina M. Cummings, MSN, CNL , RN, CPA
Nurse to be Gina Marie's future title will read:
Gina M. Cummings, MSN, CNL , RN, CPA
December 7, 2009
I didn't know chocolate could burn... and catch on fire!
Well, it can... in the mircowave. It smokes and smells really bad....
December 6, 2009
The first hiccup in our trip to China
Brett and I started making a list of items we needed to get before our trip... and we were double checking our immunizations that are necessary and visa requirements for China and Thailand...
We need Visas for China ... could have SWORN I read somewhere that they are not necessary for United States citizens, but guess I read wrong. We're ok, we'll just have to pay out the you know what for same day service tomorrow but thank GOD Brett checked, because we almost didn't double check my dumb butt. I am not sure how that would have worked out. Anyway, I said to Brett "why don't you just double check me...." I think he's rethinking his marriage proposal to me right now ... seriously. He just told me he forgives me. I told him that I am here to help. On some of our other trips, like Rio de Janiero and Europe (not Tahiti so much, well I guess so, since he surprised me) I usually leave everything up to Brett. He is responsibile for the passports, money belt, etc, maybe that's for a good reason considering I can't even get it right it we need a Visa to get into a Country. He's clearly way more on top of it than I am, so usually I just sorta check out and "show up." I told him I really want to help this time, and be a team. That we're on the same page (maybe two different books) but we're both on page number 1... he said maybe we're in the same book but different pages - hmmm that's a head scratcher.
We leave this Friday. We take off at noon and land at 10:45pm on Saturday - so we lose a whole day. When we return we take off on the 31st at 8:30am and land at 8:00am in SF on the 31st, that will be wild. We plan on signing into some internet cafes while over there and plan on blogging a little. :) Hope you can follow our quest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
XOXO
Gina (& Brett)
We need Visas for China ... could have SWORN I read somewhere that they are not necessary for United States citizens, but guess I read wrong. We're ok, we'll just have to pay out the you know what for same day service tomorrow but thank GOD Brett checked, because we almost didn't double check my dumb butt. I am not sure how that would have worked out. Anyway, I said to Brett "why don't you just double check me...." I think he's rethinking his marriage proposal to me right now ... seriously. He just told me he forgives me. I told him that I am here to help. On some of our other trips, like Rio de Janiero and Europe (not Tahiti so much, well I guess so, since he surprised me) I usually leave everything up to Brett. He is responsibile for the passports, money belt, etc, maybe that's for a good reason considering I can't even get it right it we need a Visa to get into a Country. He's clearly way more on top of it than I am, so usually I just sorta check out and "show up." I told him I really want to help this time, and be a team. That we're on the same page (maybe two different books) but we're both on page number 1... he said maybe we're in the same book but different pages - hmmm that's a head scratcher.
We leave this Friday. We take off at noon and land at 10:45pm on Saturday - so we lose a whole day. When we return we take off on the 31st at 8:30am and land at 8:00am in SF on the 31st, that will be wild. We plan on signing into some internet cafes while over there and plan on blogging a little. :) Hope you can follow our quest!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
XOXO
Gina (& Brett)
December 5, 2009
FYI...
I wrote a letter to the Dean of the School of Nursing at USF letting her know that I still have continued interest in the program and that I am honored and excited to be waitlisted. We couriered it over to USF yesterday (Friday) as they are reviewing applications this weekend and I should hear back this coming week of the 7th if I am invited to their program that starts January 25th! Keep your fingers crossed and prayers going :)
December 3, 2009
Let the truth of the matter be told.
OK, so honestly, worst anxiety of my life. This waiting game that I am playing with these nursing application at USF has got me in over my head filled with anxiety. Honestly... every time my phone rings my heart skips a beat. The waitlisted students should find out the week of December 7th (That's next week!!) via telephone call.I know I will get in someday, and that whatever will be will be what God intends me to do, but FYI I REALLY want to get in! Keep your fingers cross that next week (or this week) I will be able to post on my blog ACCEPTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO MASTERS PROGRAM!
December 1, 2009
That's all she wrote...
Today was my last day for the year volunteering in the ER. The second I walked in a guy was having a heart attack. I watched as all the Nurses and Doctors scurried around him. They didn't have an idenity so he was, as they term a John Doe. Weird, never REALLY thought that actually happened in "real life" but the social worker was at it callling the people who called in his emergency trying to find out information on him.
I am excited for the break. I have two finals coming up, and that's all she wrote for the prereq's! Just waiting, each day checking the mail 4 times a day to see if another letter has come from USF and waiting by the phone for a call and hearing on the other end "Gina, we'd like to invite you to our Master's Program at USF." I imagine myself screaming (if I could, it's probably a good thing that I can't) so I imagine myself replying "I would be honored and would love to."
Brett and I are off to China and Thailand in one week and will be gone for 3 weeks! We leave from SFO on Thursday morning and land on Friday afternoon (yikes!) We have a lay over in Tokyo then we are headed to Beijing. We're in Beijing for a few days where we will see the great Wall and some Giant Buddhas. Brett actually knows a guy from work that is the CEO of a company over in Beifing that they invest in and he has offered his company car to us and private driver/guide for a day. Hopefullly there isn't too much traffic and we can actually get somewhere faster than we could if we were walking. I just imagine the streets crowded, but nonetheless, very generous of him to offer us his services. After Beijing, we are heading down to Xian for a day trip via airplane to see the Terracota Warriors then back to Beijing then to Bangkok. We're staying in Bangkok for three nights and then headed down to Southern Thailand where we are going to fly by the seat of our pants. There are 1,000 of Islands and only two weeks... what will we do with ourselves... I am not sure... and that's the best part!
I am excited for the break. I have two finals coming up, and that's all she wrote for the prereq's! Just waiting, each day checking the mail 4 times a day to see if another letter has come from USF and waiting by the phone for a call and hearing on the other end "Gina, we'd like to invite you to our Master's Program at USF." I imagine myself screaming (if I could, it's probably a good thing that I can't) so I imagine myself replying "I would be honored and would love to."
Brett and I are off to China and Thailand in one week and will be gone for 3 weeks! We leave from SFO on Thursday morning and land on Friday afternoon (yikes!) We have a lay over in Tokyo then we are headed to Beijing. We're in Beijing for a few days where we will see the great Wall and some Giant Buddhas. Brett actually knows a guy from work that is the CEO of a company over in Beifing that they invest in and he has offered his company car to us and private driver/guide for a day. Hopefullly there isn't too much traffic and we can actually get somewhere faster than we could if we were walking. I just imagine the streets crowded, but nonetheless, very generous of him to offer us his services. After Beijing, we are heading down to Xian for a day trip via airplane to see the Terracota Warriors then back to Beijing then to Bangkok. We're staying in Bangkok for three nights and then headed down to Southern Thailand where we are going to fly by the seat of our pants. There are 1,000 of Islands and only two weeks... what will we do with ourselves... I am not sure... and that's the best part!
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