Ketel One Vodka Tasting Event
Ahh I have neglected this posting for far too long!
Christmas in Cuba
This year, instead of gifts for each other, my parents decided that we’d all go to Cuba as a family, on their tab!
Cool!
We went for a week, arriving back in Toronto on the 25th of December, effectively missing all the great Canadian Christmas spirit. I was a little sad about that. The Cubans hardly celebrate at all.
The trip was fine I guess, the weather in Cuba is beautiful and the beach and pool and resort was very nice. But I just don’t think I’m much of a beach-resort type of traveller. I found it difficult to relax at times and I was bored for most of the trip even with my books and music I brought along.
Being with my family is also pretty difficult. I don’t live with my family anymore, but my parents don’t seem to realize that. They treat me the same as always which is pretty infuriating and quite embarrassing at times. I don’t think I’ll take them up on a free trip offer ever again :S My mom’s so hard to get along with, we’re constantly butting heads and it sort of ruined the vacation a bit.
But there were some good things, too. I got a great tan, did some swimming and kayaking, and we did a daytrip into Havana which was fairly nice. I would have preferred to wander around a little more by myself (or at least be allowed to stop and look at the things I wanted to see) and do my usual type of adventure travelling, but we were with a group so it kind of sucked. The poverty of some of the people was a little shocking though. I know that Cuba is almost a 3rd world country, but it doesn’t really hit you until you’re there among the people. There are so many beggars, and some of them are very insistent, it made my visit to the market quite unpleasent, but very real at the same time.
This poverty was even present at our resort–the food selection and quality was terrible. We knew ahead of time that Cuba is known for its bad food… but still! Haha I found it a little funny that no matter what you ate (be it meat, pastries, fresh fruit or cooked dishes) nothing they served had any flavour whatsoever. My dad and I have a theory that the earth is so overworked in the country that the lack of minerals, etc. in the soil are why even their in-season fruits and eggs even have no flavour.
We also did a jeep safari tour which I thought was pretty cool. We got into a caravan of jeeps and did some offroading for a couple of hours, stopping at a papaya field to pee (there’s no bathrooms around!) and then stopping at a cool cave to go swimming. That was my favourite part–it was an incredible cave complete with stalactites that had filled with freshwater. You could go swimming and it was the perfect temperature and just felt so GOOD! to be in the water… I really loved it! After that we tried to go snorkling but the waves were too rough, so we were sent into a town for some Cuban coffee and cigars. Not too bad. I prefer having things to do rather than sitting around on my duff all day.
Bottom line, the trip was ok but I think it would have been better if it had just been me and a boyfriend (*sigh* IF I ever get one…) and if I had brought more money. Cuba is much more expensive than you think due to the 2 types of currency. The tourist peso is worth about 1.35 CAD!
I don’t think I’m really into these vacations anyway… I came away with a great tan, but also with a few extra pounds since all you are encouraged to do is sit around, gorge yourself at the buffet and drink cheap and poorly made cheap drinks all day. If you like those types of vacations then all the power to you! I just prefer to travel somewhere and immerse myself in the culture and do activities and excursions instead.
I think my next trip will be a little more adventurous, or at least a little more exciting and educational. It’ll be an experience!
Oh, before I forget, yes, I DID buy the cheap rum, as well as a bottle of native creme de cacao and a bunch of pottery-type things and jewelery that I bartered for at the market. Who knew toothpaste could get you a shotglass?
Our flight was also delayed which was fantastic (can you hear my voice dripping with sarcasm?) so we didn’t get home until 4am Christmas morning.
Cellphone Issues – Rogers
*sigh*
I renegotiated my brother’s cell phone bill with Rogers back in October. He’s supposed to be getting free unlimited incoming calls and the free communicate pack. That’s $21 in savings every month.
In exchange I agreed to extend his contract by a year.
Do you think that Rogers actually followed through with their promises?
If you guessed a big fat NO then you would be right! I’m on the phone right now, sitting through their automated messages so I can reach customer retention to sort this out.
I’ve been on hold for over 24 minutes now. I’ve been timing it! And it’s getting quite ridiculous, too. I don’t know whether the office is actually closed, or if they’re really busy and I still have to wait. All the message tells me (over and over again) is to call another number if I can’t wait, and select the “cancel service” option. I’d do that, but I don’t want to cancel, just to talk to a human and get them to refund me the money they erroneously charged me.
Stupid Rogers. Why are you so shitty? Phone companies suck.
Happy Holidays!
Sorry for the lack of posting, everyone! My family and I went to Cuba for a week as our Christmas present and I didn’t get a chance to mention that before I left. What a hectic few weeks!
Now that I’ve got some free time on my hands I am hoping to give you some more posts about my travels, and possibly a bathroom reno update!
Also upcoming are reviews or comments on:
FUZE Drink
Ketel One Vodka event I went to
New L’Oreal Beauty Tubes mascara review
Possibly another Maybelline mascara review if they’ve sent it to me in time
I’m hoping to scoot back to my apartment soon and see how much the bath/kitchen has been coming along, and to take some photos! Here’s hoping I’ve got some running water again!
Happy holidays, everyone. I hope you have a relaxing and delicious week with your loved ones!
Bathroom/Kitchen Reno: Part 2
As promised, here is the next installment of my reno documentation.
We were still allowed a modicum of privacy, as well as a sink and working (though dirty) shower in these photos. It was not long to last, however.
Stay tuned!
Bathroom/Kitchen Reno: Part 1
Oh the drama! My apartment is currently undergoing renovations on account of the fact that our bathroom leaks into the apartment below us.
This is my chronicle of the changes… photo documented, of course!
I think a good place to start is the beginning… so here are a couple of shots of the crazy (and tiny) kitchen & bath as they were when we first got the apartment. It’s because of this weird set-up that we were able to get such a good deal on rent in this neighbourhood!
Kitchen
Bathroom
Nothing fancy and a little on the small side due to weird layout, but overall functional. I would like to point out that the tub is actually placed underneath the eaves of the house, making the actual shower portion awkwardly placed inside a dormer window.
Next up, the first stages of the tear-down. Stay tuned!
Office Party
Bluuuurgh. I really can’t do late nights during the work week anymore.
I had my office Xmas party last night and it was good for the most part. The venue was really nice and the food was good (mmm… steak & frites!). We had a dj for some dance music, and also some really really horrible karaoke!
I am no longer a karaoke virgin. My first song ever was Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics, then later in the night I did Dixie Chicks Landslide (though I prefer the original Stevie Nicks version) and randomly started singing (screeching?) backup for a bunch of other people. It was a hoot!
I’m not Miss Popularity at work so I was somewhat surprised and heartened that my coworkers seemed to like it when I was up there. Maybe it’s because I didn’t pummel their ears with the sounds of a drowning cat? hehehe
I was also pleasantly surprised to receive a couple of compliments on my outfit that night. I wore the gold cleopatra-style top I posted about before. I actually look decent in some of the photos that were taken! Score!
So all in all it was a pretty good night. I’m just super-tired today. Thank Gods for Starbucks gift cards. I refuelled with a delicious and calorie-ridden breakfast of an eggnog latte and a breakfast sandwich.
Ginger’s Tip Featured on FruGal
Check it out guys, FruGal has included a personal finance tip from me over on her blog post: Top Payday Moneysaving Tips.
She’s compiled a pretty good list of tips and it’s definitely worth a read!
I live in a disaster zone
My apartment is being renovated.
That’s my bathroom AND kitchen, FYI. The view is from my bedroom across the dining room.
This morning I joked about having to pee behind a curtain. Little did I know I would actually have to do that when I came home this evening. Not impressed.
I’m looking forward to having a shiny new kitchen and bathroom, but this experience is pretty crappy. There’s so much dust (even after the workers cleaned up) that I’m coughing and having trouble breathing. The good news is that I’m leaving for Cuba in a week. I think I might move that up and go stay with my parents this weekend, too.
I totally just brushed my teeth in the dirty, dirty bathtub. Our only water source. *sigh*
Pray for me! :S
Etsy Confessions
Monogrammed purse hook by MyLittleCuddleBugs
Now I just need to resist the allure of some of the jewellery I’ve been looking at…
I think it’s time for some self-flagellation in the form of kung fu. I’m off to sparring practice now. Wish me luck!
